Older Mexican Americans and Vision Impairment: Eye Care Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries 1055

Vision loss is preventable, and health disparities exist among different racial/ethnic groups. To determine the factors associated with eye care utilization among older Mexican American Medicare beneficiaries a research study was conducted. Data from Wave 5 (2004/2005) of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) was linked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services files using individual identifiers consistent across datasets (n=594). Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System were used to identify the provider type (ophthalmology or optometrist) and vision diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for age related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy, low vision rehabilitation services, and vision services. Covariates included socio-demographics, Medicaid status, mobility impairment, self-reported vision impairment (VI), doctor reported eye problems, and Elixhauser Weighted Comorbidity Index (EWCI). VI was defined as difficulty in recognizing a friend across at arm’s length’s away the street, across the room, or across the street. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of vision outpatient visits and vision services were estimated. Findings will be presented including the prevalence of common eye diagnosis and predictors of eye care utilization among older Mexican Americans. Attendees of this presentation will learn how increased quality of screening, evaluation, and treatment of individuals with vision impairment may decrease vision health disparities among older Mexican Americans.