Living in the Dark: Social Barriers to Vision

Living in the Dark: Social Barriers to Vision Abstract by DAWN ALIBERTI Despite the availability of many preventive measures, there are a vast number of people with vision loss. The World Health Organization (2022) estimated that there are 2.2 billion people who are visually impaired, with 43 million being blind. In the United States, 32.2 million adults have vision loss. It is estimated that 90% of vision loss could be prevented or treated. Sociological inquiry on vision impairment provides a deeper understanding of the vision loss experience by examining both micro and macro consequences of vision loss, such as economic strains, depression, decreased ability to perform daily activities, and decreased quality of life. Few studies analyze social barriers to accessing vision care. This research advances and expands research on vision impairment through analysis of the social barriers to preventive vision exams that can prevent or impede vision loss. It employs linear and logistic regression as well as descriptive statistics to provide a better understanding of the vision loss experience. It examines how social categories (age, gender, race, and ethnicity), human capital, and social and emotional support affect access to preventive eye exams. Second, it evaluates how general health and vision health affect access to preventive eye exams. Third, an evaluation of which factors affect general health and vision health. This work provides findings that can help opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists understand the needs of their patients and the unique barriers patients may have to access care. It can also be used by organizations and policymakers to recognize important current and future changes that are needed in organization structure.