• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.209-217
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• 2011

Purpose: In this study, eye-health inequity was investigated by analyzing the relationship between household incomes and eye-health of senior citizens. Further, this study suggested the preliminary data for establishment of public eye-health policy in order to improve low income senior citizens' life quality. Methods: The data from the 2009 Survey of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination were analyzed in this study. The objectives of the KNHNE survey were over 65 year old group (1,668 people). Main factors of eye-health (visual acuity, cataract, pterygium, intraocular pressure, retinophathy, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinophathy, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia prevalence) were analyzed with t-test and chi square test. Results: Low income group revealed that refractive error rate and intraocular pressure were low, however, naked eye visual acuity and corrected visual acuity were high at 0.1 to less than 0.5. On the other hands, in the high income group, there was high prevalence of hyperopia. Cataract mainly occurred at low income group besides group which maximum corrected visual acuity was below 0.8 also highly showed cataract. Moreover, the prevalence of cataract showed that it related with smoking, drinking, occupation, and education level. Conclusions: Results revealed that there was inequity of eye-health which related with socioeconomic status of the elderly. Especially, the prevalence of cataract was correlated with life quality. Consequently, establishment of public eye-health policy seems to be required for eye-health inequity of low income senior citizens.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.319-325
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• 2011

Purpose: The relativity of factors between low vision and socioeconomic status were investigated. This study represented the preliminary data for establishment of public eye health policy. Further, this report would encourage people to change the social attitudes about the eye health equity of the nation. Methods: The number of people (2,514 people) who have been tested the forced visual activity were examined as it was referred the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNE) of 2009-year data. The prevalence rate of low vision of subjects which are related with house income, education level and occupations were conducted with ttest and chi square test. Besides, the Binominal Logistic Regression was conducted to measure the odds ratio of the subjects. Results: In outline, the prevalence rate of low vision was high with low house income, low education level and low function. The odds ratio represented that 2.77(95% CI, 1.72-4.47) at low house income group and 4.02(95% CI, 1.75-9.23) at the case of below primary school education level. Moreover, the results of unemployed group showed 3.65(1.14-11.68) from the odds ratio measurement. Conclusions: The eye health policy need be instituted which is broad and meticulous support to ease the eye health equity of low eye sight patients. For instance, the education about eye health, examination business of eye disease, and education of assistant units which are useful for low eye sight would suggest practical solution.