Sight for seniors: a summary of findings and challenges to providing community-based eye care to low-income seniors.
OBJECTIVE
The Sight for Seniors (SFS) program was developed to provide eye care and eyeglasses to low-income seniors.


METHODS
Residents from a Chicago Housing Authority senior development participated in SFS. A community liaison promoted SFS and enrolled residents. Patients received transportation, eye care that took place at the Illinois Eye Institute, and spectacles at no out-of-pocket cost.


RESULTS
Eighty-nine patients were seen. The mean age was 71.8 years (standard deviation, 7.2). Fifty-six (62.9%) patients were women, and 73 (82.0%) were black. The last eye examination was reported within a year by 16 (18.0%), and 44 reported that their last medical examination was within 1 year. All patients required and received eyeglasses. Seventy-four (83.1%) improved Snellen distance visual acuity by 1 line or more and 26 (29.2%) by 3 lines or more. Twenty (22.5%) had glaucoma, and 9 had diabetic retinopathy. Sixty-three (70.8%) reported a history of hypertension (HTN) and 33 (37.1%) type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). HTN was controlled in 4 (15%) of those with HTN and DM and 12 (34.3%) of those with HTN but not DM.


CONCLUSIONS
Last reported eye examination, medical history, and examination findings support the need for eye care in this population. These findings are applicable to similar populations.
Winters
Janis Ecklund
JE
Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, Illinois, USA. jwinters@ico.edu
Pihos
Andria M
AM
D000368:Aged; D002641:Chicago; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005139:Eyeglasses / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000639:trends; D011203:Poverty; D044469:Racial Groups; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*