Self-reported use of eye care among Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To identify the prevalence and determinants of self-reported eye care use in Latinos.

DESIGN

Population-based ocular epidemiologic study in Latinos aged 40+ years living in La Puente, California.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 5455 participants.

METHODS

Univariate, multivariable, and stepwise logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predisposing, enabling, and need variables associated with self-reported eye care use.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of self-reported use: eye care visit, having had a dilated examination in the past 12 months, ever having had a dilated examination, and odds ratios for factors associated with self-reported use.

RESULTS

Overall, 36% of participants reported an eye care visit and 19% reported having a dilated examination in the past year. Fifty-seven percent reported ever having had a dilated eye examination. Greater eye care use was associated with older age, female gender, bilingual language proficiency (English and Spanish), more education, having health insurance, having a usual place for care, having a regular provider of care, a greater number of comorbidities, visual impairment, and lower vision-specific quality of life scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Multiple modifiable factors are associated with greater use and access to eye care for Latinos. Modification of these factors should be a priority because visual impairment has significant impacts on well-being and mortality.