Eye care for patients with diabetes in the state of Florida: status in 1988.

BACKGROUND

More than 14 million Americans are suspected of having diabetes with fewer than half of those currently diagnosed. Diabetes is the number one cause of new cases of blindness in persons 20-74 years of age.

METHODS

This study was performed in the state of Florida to determine both the accessibility of eye care as well as the similarities and differences in the practice behavior patterns of optometrists and ophthalmologists for patients with diabetes.

RESULTS

The results of two surveys sent to both the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and the Florida Optometric Association by the Florida Diabetes Retinopathy Task Force (FDRTF) were analyzed. The results indicated better accessibility for diabetics to optometrists (81 percent of counties) than ophthalmologists (55 percent of counties). In addition, the results demonstrated strong similarities in practice patterns between the two professions. The results also indicate that primary care medical doctors do not routinely take advantage of the practicing optometrist for the examination of the diabetic patients in their practices.

CONCLUSIONS

The poor utilization of the primary care optometrist creates a gap in the health care delivery for the patient with diabetes. This gap may contribute to the increase in the complication of diabetic retinopathy.