Preschool vision testing by health providers in the United States: Findings from the 2006-2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey

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• 作者：Alex R. Kemper MD ; MPH^a ;   ; ^{alex.kemper@duke.edu} ; David K. Wallace MD ; MPH^b ; Nita Patel OD ; MPH^c ; John E. Crews DPA^d
• 刊名：Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• 出版年：2011
• 出版时间：October 2011
• 年：2011
• 卷：15
• 期：5
• 页码：480-483
• 全文大小：74 K

文摘

Background

Few data are available regarding the rate of preschool vision screening. The purpose of this study is to estimate the current rate of vision testing among children ages 3 through 6 years by any health care provider and to the characterize the children reported to have been tested.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the 4,237 children aged 3 through 6 years included in either the 2006 or 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Household respondents were asked whether selected children ever had vision testing by a doctor or other health provider. Data were weighted to make estimates representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized population.

Results

Overall, 64.9 % (95 % CI, 62.9 % -66.9 % ) of children 3 through 6 years of age were reported to have ever had vision testing. The likelihood of previous reported testing increased with age, from 42.9 % among 3-year-olds to 79.4 % among 6-year-olds (P < 0.001). After adjusting for age, family income, insurance status, whether the child had a regular health care provider, and whether the child had special health care needs, we found that lower odds of testing were reported among non-Hispanic white children (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95 % CI, 0.55-0.97) and among Hispanic children (OR, 0.62; 95 % CI, 0.47-0.82) compared with non-Hispanic black children (OR, 1).

Conclusions

These findings highlight the gaps in the delivery of preschool vision screening. Improved population-level surveillance of children's vision and methods to track use of vision-related health services are needed to inform policy makers to develop new strategies to improve care.