Department of Primary Care, New England College of Optometry, Boston, Massachusetts.
Optom Vis Sci. 2021 Apr 1;98(4):362-366. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000001674.
The eye care needs of the homeless population in the United States are not well known. This study elucidates those needs for health care for the homeless programs and eye care practitioners. This information could result in an increase in the provision of necessary eye care services.
The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of visual and ocular conditions, the frequency of eyeglass orders and receipt of eyeglasses, and the frequency of ophthalmology referrals and receipt of ophthalmological care in an adult homeless population in Boston.
A cross-sectional retrospective chart review was conducted for patients of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's Pine Street Inn eye clinic from September 26, 2016, to December 31, 2017. Data on sociodemographics, medical history, comprehensive eye examination findings, glasses orders and receipt, and ophthalmology referrals and receipt of care were collected and analyzed.
A total of 424 patients were included in the study. The mean age of the study population was 52.7 (interquartile range, 46 to 60), and the majority were male (74%). The most common systemic conditions were hypertension (40.6%) and diabetes (23.8%). The most common refractive error was presbyopia (67.7%), followed by astigmatism (38.9%), hyperopia (34.0%), and myopia (30.7%). The most common ocular conditions were dry eye (28.6%), visually or clinically significant cataract (20%), and glaucoma/glaucoma suspicion (13.9%). Refractive correction was indicated for 356 patients (84%), but 82 (29%) did not receive ordered eyeglasses. Ophthalmology referrals were placed for 61 patients (14.4%), yet only 20 (32.8%) of those referrals were completed.
A significant need for refractive correction and a large gap for ophthalmological care were found among the study population. Health care for the homeless programs and eye care practitioners should be aware of the visual and ocular needs of this patient population so as to better meet their needs.
美国无家可归人口的眼部护理需求尚不清楚。本研究阐明了为无家可归者健康计划和眼科保健从业者提供这些需求的必要性。这些信息可能会导致提供必要的眼科保健服务的增加。
本研究的目的是评估波士顿无家可归者人口中的成年人的视力和眼部疾病的严重程度、眼镜订单和配镜的频率、眼科转诊和眼科护理的频率。
对 2016 年 9 月 26 日至 2017 年 12 月 31 日期间波士顿卫生保健为无家可归者计划的松树街旅馆眼科诊所的患者进行了横断面回顾性图表审查。收集并分析了社会人口统计学、病史、全面眼科检查结果、眼镜订单和配镜以及眼科转诊和接受护理的数据。
共有 424 名患者纳入研究。研究人群的平均年龄为 52.7 岁（四分位距，46 至 60），大多数为男性（74%）。最常见的系统疾病是高血压（40.6%）和糖尿病（23.8%）。最常见的屈光不正为老视（67.7%），其次是散光（38.9%）、远视（34.0%）和近视（30.7%）。最常见的眼部疾病是干眼症（28.6%）、有临床意义的白内障（20%）和青光眼/疑似青光眼（13.9%）。需要屈光矫正的患者有 356 人（84%），但有 82 人（29%）未接受配镜。对 61 名患者（14.4%）进行了眼科转诊，但只有 20 名（32.8%）转诊患者完成了治疗。
在研究人群中发现了对屈光矫正的巨大需求，以及对眼科护理的巨大差距。无家可归者健康计划和眼科保健从业者应了解这一患者群体的视觉和眼部需求，以便更好地满足他们的需求。
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