Sociodemographic factors and pediatric eye examinations: a population-based analysis

To explore associations between sociodemographic determinants and whether children received an eye examination within the previous year in the United States.

Using data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey, this population-based study included participants <18 years of age for whom data were available to determine whether they had received an eye examination within the previous year. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations between sociodemographic variables and caregiver-reported eye examinations.

Of the 7,365 children included (mean age, 8.8 ± 6.3 years), 2,912 (39.5%) underwent an eye examination. In a multivariable model, children in all age groups older than 4 years (OR ranging from 4.16 to 6.91) and children of parents with a higher educational attainment (OR ranging from 1.44 to 1.52) were more likely to have had an eye examination compared with the youngest age group and lowest educational attainment group, respectively. Lack of health insurance coverage (OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40-0.83; P = 0.003) and forgoing medical care due to cost (OR = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21-0.87; P = 0.019) were both associated with lower odds of having had an eye examination. However, children living with a parent who was neither married nor living with a partner had higher odds of receiving an eye examination than those whose caregivers were married or living with a partner (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07-1.51; P = 0.006).

Having undergone a pediatric eye examination was associated with age, parental education, parental relationship status, insurance coverage, and the ability to afford medical care. Inequities prevail across the United States with respect to pediatric eye examination access, and ongoing public health initiatives are needed to proactively advocate for equitable access to eye care.