Utilisation of eye care services by urban and rural Australians.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate factors related to the use of eye care services in Australia.


METHODS
Health, eye care service use, and sociodemographic data were collected in a structured interview of participants in a population based study. All participants had a standard eye examination.


RESULTS
Men (OR 1.3 CL 1.02, 1.7), those who spoke Greek (OR 2.1 CL 1.1, 3.8) or Italian (OR 1.9 CL 1.0, 3.3), and those without private health insurance (OR 1.59 CL 1.22, 2.04) were more likely to have not used eye care services. Ophthalmology services were utilised at lower rates in rural areas (OR 0.14 CL 0.09, 0.2). Approximately 40% of participants with undercorrected refractive error, cataract, and undiagnosed glaucoma had seen either an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or both within the last year.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the similarity in prevalence of eye disease in urban and rural areas, significant differences exist in the utilisation of eye care services. Sex, private health insurance, urban residence, and the ability to converse in English were significant factors associated with eye healthcare service use. Many participants had undiagnosed eye disease despite having seen an eye care provider in the last year.
Keeffe
Jill E
JE
Weih
LeAnn M
LM
McCarty
Cathy A
CA
Taylor
Hugh R
HR
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology