Near-vision impairment and unresolved vision problems in Indigenous Australian adults.
BACKGROUND
To describe near-vision impairment, self-reported unresolved vision problems and barriers to having near-vision correction in Indigenous Australians.


METHODS
A nationwide population-based study designed to determine the causes and prevalence of vision loss and utilization of eye care services.


METHODS
Indigenous Australians aged ≥40 years.


METHODS
Using a multistage random cluster sampling methodology, 30 geographical areas stratified by remoteness were selected to obtain a representation of Indigenous Australians. Visual acuity was conducted using a standard E chart. A questionnaire collected data on eye health, eye care service utilization and vision-related quality of life.


METHODS
Near-vision impairment defined as presenting binocular near visual acuity <N8. Self-reported unresolved vision problems defined as anything considered an eye/vision problem by the participant, including distance and/or near-vision impairments, not resolved after seeking care and quality-of-life scores.


RESULTS
Being aged 50-59 years (reference group 40-49 years), speaking a language other than English at home and vision loss (distance vision impairment and blindness) increased the odds of near-vision impairment. Of those with near-vision impairment, 37% (175/468) reported not having near-vision correction. Being aged 60-69 years, speaking a language other than English at home and having vision loss decreased the odds of having near-vision correction. Longer time since last consultation was associated with unresolved vision problems and worse quality-of-life scores.


CONCLUSIONS
There remains a large unmet need in regard to near-vision correction. Many Indigenous adults have unresolved vision problems that could be resolved with regular consultations with eye care services.
Population Health Unit, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, Australia.
Anna-Lena M R
AL
Arnold
Nicolas
N
Goujon
Lucy
L
Busija
Sarah
S
Fox
Jing
J
Xie
Ross A
RA
Dunn
Jill E
JE
Keeffe
Hugh R
HR
Taylor
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*