Self-reported Use of Eye Care Among Adult Chinese Americans: The Chinese American Eye Study

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the prevalence and determinants of self-reported eye care use among Chinese Americans.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: A total of 4582 Chinese Americans 50 years and older residing in Monterey Park, California.

Methods: Multivariable logistic regression analyses based on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use were conducted to identify predisposing, enabling, and need variables associated with self-reported eye care use.

Main outcome measures: Prevalence of self-reported use assessed as eye care visit in the past 12 months, dilated eye examination in the past 12 months, and ever having had a dilated examination, and odds ratios for factors associated with these measures.

Results: Overall, 36% of participants reported an eye care visit and 21% reported a dilated examination in the past 12 months. Forty-eight percent reported ever having had a dilated eye examination. Older age, female sex, preference for English, more education, health and vision insurance, a usual place for health care, currently driving, a greater number of comorbidities, and lower vision-specific quality-of-life (NEI VFQ-25) scores were associated with higher odds of reporting use of eye care.

Conclusions: Use of eye care among Chinese Americans was found to be as low as what is reported for African Americans and Hispanics, and lower than what is reported for whites. Multiple modifiable factors are associated with use of eye care among the rapidly growing Chinese American population. Culturally sensitive interventions targeting these factors should be a priority. Further research is needed to investigate how findings from this group of Chinese Americans reflect other Asian Americans that are different in language and ethnicity.