Barriers to digital inclusion: the impact of educational level, help-related needs, and internet usage difficulties among people aged 65 to 75 with visual impairment in Sweden

PURPOSE: The digital transformation has led to an increased reliance on the internet. To what extent visual impairment affects people's opportunities for digital inclusion remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to explore (1) the use of the internet, (2) potential adaptations required for its use, and (3) potential factors explaining digital exclusion among people aged 65 to 75 years with visual impairments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An exploratory, cross-sectional design using self-reported data from a survey with people aged 65 to 75 years with visual impairment registered at vision clinics in a larger Swedish region. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse participants' characteristics. Binary logistic regression was performed to explore digital exclusion and explanatory factors. RESULTS: = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Living with a visual impairment when being 65 years and older may lead to digital exclusion. Those requiring help when using the internet, those who found it difficult to use the internet, and those with the lowest levels of education were the most at risk of digital exclusion.