A new study published in Public Health Reports by researchers at the University of Georgia highlights important gaps in preventive eye care among midlife and older adults in the United States. In Life Stage Differences in Vision Difficulty and Receipt of a Past-Year Eye Examination Among Midlife and Older Adults: Analysis of a National Sample, researchers found that self-reported vision difficulty was not consistently linked to receiving routine eye examinations, particularly among adults aged 45 to 64 years. The findings underscore the need for earlier and more equitable access to preventive eye care services as the burden of vision impairment continues to grow across an aging population.

Using data from the 2022 and 2023 National Health Interview Survey, researchers Daniel Jung, PhD, and Eunhae Shin, PhD, analyzed responses from more than 34,000 adults aged 45 years and older to better understand the relationship between vision difficulty and receipt of annual eye examinations.

The study found that adults aged 45 to 64 years who reported vision difficulty were significantly less likely to have received an eye examination in the past year compared to those without vision difficulty. Among older adults aged 65 years and older, the gap in preventive eye care utilization was smaller, suggesting that barriers to care may be particularly pronounced during midlife.

Researchers noted that individuals reporting vision difficulty were also more likely to have lower incomes, lower educational attainment, and multiple chronic health conditions, highlighting the intersection of social and structural factors that can limit access to preventive care.

The authors emphasized that self-reported vision difficulty should be viewed as an important indicator of potential unmet health needs and an opportunity for targeted intervention. The study calls for public health strategies that integrate vision care into broader preventive health services, reduce financial and structural barriers to care, and support earlier intervention to help preserve long-term vision health.