Ageism in ophthalmology: relationship between knowledge and expectations regarding aging and attitudes toward older adults

Abstract Background Despite older adults bearing the heaviest burden of age-related eye diseases, ageism remains understudied within ophthalmology. Aims To measure the knowledge and expectations of aging and attitudes toward older adults among eye care personnel. Methods A cross-sectional voluntary survey was conducted among eye care workers in a tertiary center. Demographic information was collected, and four scales were administered: Facts on Aging (FOA), Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA), Kogan Attitudes Toward Old People (KAOP), and Ambivalent Ageism Scale (AAS). Results 95 participants (mean age 55.4 ± 13.8 years, 34% male) completed the survey. 49.5% had above-college education and 85.3% had patient contact responsibility. The mean percentage of time devoted to caring for patients ≥ 65 years was 59.8 ± 30.9%, and the mean duration of patient-related service was 15.7 ± 13.0 years. Workers with higher educational levels had better knowledge of aging ( p = 0.024), and those with medical degrees or equivalent had more appreciative attitudes toward older people ( p = 0.024). For all participants, mental health ERA scores were higher than physical health and cognitive function ERA scores ( p < 0.001). FOA scores positively correlated with KAOP appreciative scores ( p = 0.005) while global ERA scores negatively correlated with KAOP prejudice scores ( p < 0.001). Both FOA and global ERA scores negatively correlated with benevolent ( p < 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively) and hostile AAS scores ( p = 0.017, p < 0.001, respectively). Discussion/conclusions Among eye care personnel, better knowledge and higher expectations of aging correlated with positive attitudes toward older people, highlighting the importance of addressing ageism as the global population ages and the prevalence of eye diseases increases.