Ophthalmic services in New Zealand.
A random sample of 2000 persons throughout New Zealand was questioned on the use of and attitudes toward vision care. One-half of the respondents had had a vision examination within the past 4 years. Of those that had been examined, 72% were seen by an optometrist and 22% were seen by an ophthalmologist. Fifty-two percent of the sample wore spectacles or contact lenses, and in the 25 to 34 year age group 12.5% wore contact lenses. The majority (66%) reported no visual problems, and of this group 42% would visit a medical practitioner, 41% an optometrist, and 11% an ophthalmologist if they were to develop a visual problem. At the last visual examination 28% were advised that they did not need a refractive correction, 22% were told their present aid was adequate, and 46% were prescribed new spectacles.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009885:Ophthalmology; D009907:Optometry; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014787:Vision Tests