title: Use of electronic health records and administrative data for public health surveillance of eye health and vision-related conditions in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the current trend toward greater use of electronic health records and how these records could enhance public health surveillance of eye health and vision-related conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Perspective, comparing systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe 3 currently available sources of electronic health data (Kaiser Permanente, the Veterans Health Administration, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and how these sources can contribute to a comprehensive vision and eye health surveillance system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each of the 3 sources of electronic health data can contribute meaningfully to a comprehensive vision and eye health surveillance system, but none currently provide all the information required. The use of electronic health records for vision and eye health surveillance has both advantages and disadvantages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Electronic health records may provide additional information needed to create a comprehensive vision and eye health surveillance system. Recommendations for incorporating electronic health records into such a system are presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3727. mlelliott03@gmail.com
authors.forename: Amanda F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Flora
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lum
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Jinan B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Saaddine
authors.forename: Xinzhi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Crews
authors.forename: Chiu-Fang
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D003191:Comprehensive Health Care; D016208:Databases, Factual; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D062486:Public Health Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014785:Vision, Ocular