TY - JOUR
T1 - Refractive error in underserved adults
T2 - Causes and potential solutions
AU - Jeganathan, V. Swetha E.
AU - Robin, Alan L.
AU - Woodward, Maria A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD; K23 Mentored Clinical Scientist Award K23EY023596 (MAW).
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2017/7/1
Y1 - 2017/7/1
N2 - Purpose of review: To evaluate the epidemiology of uncorrected refractive errors (URE) in adults both in the United States and globally, health outcomes impacted by URE, common barriers to treatment, and propose potential interventions. Recent findings: URE is the main cause of visual impairment and the second leading cause of blindness globally. Rates of URE are rising, and cause disability that reduces productivity, economic earnings, and the quality of life of affected individuals. Economic barriers, healthcare access, and sociocultural constraints are among the most fundamental barriers to correcting URE. However, innovative approaches are poised to lower rates of URE. Summary: URE is a leading cause of preventable visual impairment with serious health consequences. Numerous social and financial barriers are associated with the high prevalence of URE in low-income adults. Novel delivery programs for eyeglasses and programs to provide refractive surgery to correct refractive error could decrease rates of URE.
AB - Purpose of review: To evaluate the epidemiology of uncorrected refractive errors (URE) in adults both in the United States and globally, health outcomes impacted by URE, common barriers to treatment, and propose potential interventions. Recent findings: URE is the main cause of visual impairment and the second leading cause of blindness globally. Rates of URE are rising, and cause disability that reduces productivity, economic earnings, and the quality of life of affected individuals. Economic barriers, healthcare access, and sociocultural constraints are among the most fundamental barriers to correcting URE. However, innovative approaches are poised to lower rates of URE. Summary: URE is a leading cause of preventable visual impairment with serious health consequences. Numerous social and financial barriers are associated with the high prevalence of URE in low-income adults. Novel delivery programs for eyeglasses and programs to provide refractive surgery to correct refractive error could decrease rates of URE.
KW - eyeglasses
KW - global health
KW - refractive error
KW - uncorrected refractive error
KW - visual impairment
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U2 - 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000376
DO - 10.1097/ICU.0000000000000376
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28379859
AN - SCOPUS:85017109600
SN - 1040-8738
VL - 28
SP - 299
EP - 304
JO - Current opinion in ophthalmology
JF - Current opinion in ophthalmology
IS - 4
ER -