Abstract
Purpose :
Despite their evident value for disease prevention, preventive health exams, such as wellness, dental, and eye exams, remain underutilized, even among healthcare workers. This study explores the utilization of preventive health exams, specifically eye exams, and investigates the knowledge, awareness, experiences, and perceptions of eye exams among healthcare employees.
Methods :
An explanatory sequential mixed methods research design was used. Participants (N=305) included eligible adults employed in the healthcare sector. In the initial phase, participants reported, via an electronic questionnaire, their preventive health behaviors, as well as knowledge and awareness of the benefits associated with regular eye exams. In the second phase, qualitative data was collected via semi-structured interviews to explain the phase one findings.
Results :
While there was good adherence to recommended guidelines for wellness (78.55% reporting annual exams) and dental (69.87% adhering to semi-annual exams), a lower percentage, 63.12%, reported annual check-ups for eye exams. Respondents were aware of cataracts (96%), refractive error (89%), and macular degeneration (80%) being detectable during eye exams. However, awareness was lower for the value of eye exams in diagnosing systemic conditions, such as hypertension (61%), diabetes (60%), cancer (38%), cardiovascular disease (36%), stroke risk (31%), vitamin A deficiency (29%), thyroid disease (29%), multiple sclerosis (18%), syphilis (17%), and rheumatoid arthritis (15%), reflecting a significant difference (p<.001) between knowledge of eye conditions and systemic conditions detectable during an eye exam. Health literacy and education emerged as factors influencing perceptions and dispositions. Additionally, qualitative findings revealed themes of communication, concern, connection, and culture, highlighting barriers and catalysts affecting adherence to eye exams.
Conclusions :
This study provides critical insights into healthcare employees' awareness, utilization, and perceptions of eye exams, emphasizing a lack of awareness regarding the benefits of regular eye exams for maintaining eye health. The findings underscore the importance of identifying and addressing barriers to accessing preventive eye care services. The broader implications of these results extend to policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers committed to advancing both preventive health and vision care.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.