title: Factors associated with having eye examinations in persons with diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate compliance with guidelines on ocular examinations for diabetic persons, to examine factors that affect compliance, and to determine reasons for noncompliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional population study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary care setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The population is 765 diabetic persons with younger onset and 533 with older onset who participated in the 1990 to 1992 follow-up examination of the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A medical history was taken in which subjects were asked about eye examinations by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four percent of the younger-onset group and 62% of the older-onset group had had a dilated eye examination in the previous year. Persons in both groups were more likely to have had a dilated examination if they had a longer duration of diabetes, more severe retinopathy, a history of glaucoma or cataract, and health insurance that covered eye examinations. Persons with younger-onset diabetes were more likely to have had an examination if they were older, were visually impaired, and had more education or higher income. Persons in the older-onset group were more likely to have had an examination if they were female or taking insulin. In those not having an eye examination, 79% and 71% of the younger- and older-onset groups, respectively, reported not having had one because they had no problems with their eyes, and 31% and 35% reported not having been told they needed one. Thirty-two percent and 11% said they were too busy, and 30% and 12% said they could not afford an examination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetic persons should be educated as to the need for eye care; the results show that barriers to eye care exist in the form of affordability and lack of time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015351:Vision Screening