Exploring variations in Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) with geographical locations, deprivation indices, density of optometry practices and number of older people living in Mid and South Essex: an analysis of publicly available data

BACKGROUND: Examining factors that contribute to Certification of Vision Impairment (CVI) is important to enable an overview of progression, plan policies and distribution eye care services. OBJECTIVES: To investigate associations between CVI, rate of change of CVI over a two-year period (2021-2023), percentage of people living in the 20% most deprived areas of Mid and South Essex (MSE), density of optometry practices and population of older people (>60 years) living in five sub-Integrated Care Board locations [Sub-ICB 1-5]) within MSE. METHODS: Data were obtained from ICB databases and publicly available sources. Descriptive statistics were summarised to present data, and associations were explored using Spearman's rank correlation. RESULTS: CVI increased over the 2021-2023 period with age-related macular degeneration being the most common cause. In 2023, different Sub-ICB areas showed varying burden with Sub-ICB-2 having the lowest number of CVI (29.2 per 100,000) while Sub-ICB-4 and Sub-ICB-5 showing the highest (75.3-76.3 per 100,000). Sub-ICB-4 also had the highest percentage of older people (>60 years). Strong positive association (ρ = 0.90, p = 0.0374) was found between rate of change of CVI and deprivation. Moderate positive associations between CVI with density of optometry practices (ρ = 0.60, p = 0.285); and the percentage of people over the age of 60 years (ρ = 0.50, p = 0.391). CONCLUSIONS: CVI increases in areas with older population, and also in those living in 20% most deprived areas, highlighting the potential link between socio-economic factors and vision impairment. These factors are important for targeting interventions in specific areas to reduce the risk of blindness in MSE.