Community-Based Interventions to Improve Eye Health Outcomes in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Gerontology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Aging populations face unique eye health challenges.
• Community-based interventions are increasingly recognized for their potential to address health disparities.
• Effective strategies are needed to promote eye health in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on community-based interventions for improving eye health in older adults.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention types on eye health outcomes.
• To identify factors influencing intervention success.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of eleven electronic databases and reference lists.
• Independent screening, data extraction, and quality assessment by two reviewers.
• Meta-analysis using random-effects models, calculating standardized mean differences (SMD) and relative risks.
• Heterogeneity assessment using I² and Chi-square tests, with subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses.

Main Results:

• Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria; 13 were included in the meta-analysis.
• Educational programs significantly improved attitudes (SMD = 3.91) and behaviors (SMD = 8.20).
• Structured teaching enhanced knowledge (SMD = 4.04); support groups increased eye exam uptake (SMD = 4.33).
• No significant moderators were found in subgroup/meta-regression analyses, with persistent heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Community-based interventions show promise in enhancing eye health knowledge and behaviors among older adults.
• The current evidence base is limited and characterized by significant heterogeneity.
• Findings should be interpreted with caution due to the variability in study results.