Utilization of eye care in Western New York—a guidance to improve

Aim: There is a lack of access to eye care due to economic, cultural, and linguistic barriers in addition to insufficient accessibility of providers. By focusing on the main causes of blindness, we hope to bring awareness of the inequity in eye healthcare for racial and ethnic minorities. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataract in Erie and Monroe County, New York and highlight any association with variables such as age, race/ethnicity, gender, or health insurance. Methods: Data from the Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) was obtained to create comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy from 2016 to 2018. Secondary data analysis for variables such as life expectancy and median household income was conducted with data from the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Threshold, American Community Survey, the United States Census Bureau, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. Results: The prevalence rates of diagnosed cataracts and glaucoma in the Western New York regions of Erie and Monroe counties were lower than in New York State (NYS). The analysis highlighted that rates of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts are higher in African Americans and Hispanics than the other races. Annual utilization of eye care in NYS was 49.2%, and Erie and Monroe County had lower utilization rates of 45.6% and 42.8% respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that utilization of eye care services in Western New York was lower than NYS, which is a possible contributor to worsened eye health outcomes of minorities. Hence, educating both patients and providers is an important step toward improving inclusivity and cultural competency in the healthcare environment. Promoting health literacy, screenings, and improving access to eye care can allow individuals to be more inclined to seek out regular eye examinations, resulting in improved community outcomes.