New England eye care survey

Descriptive statistics on patient or consumer use of eye care are important for health care policy and professional development. Most survey research has been through doctors or doctors' offices. Some consumer surveys have been completed by direct mail, but information from direct mail surveys suffers from respondent self selection. This study joins a growing number of surveys designs that use random-digit telephone survey methods, which have less self-selection bias.

This study describes patient use and perceptions of eye care services in three New England areas using random-digit telephone survey. Nine hundred eighteen calls were attempted. A standardized interview and survey questionnaire was used for each phone contact.

Of 163 respondents (18% response rate), it was found that most patients were satisfied with the care, time, discussion, and fees provided by their eye care practitioner. Most (78%) planned on returning to the same practitioner in the future. Sixty percent of participants saw an optometrist, 29% saw an ophthalmologist, and 11% were unsure. In a subsample, differences in perception between optometric and ophthalmologic care was investigated, and no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were found.

The study findings are similar to others in terms of market share between optometric and ophthalmologic settings for primary eye care. Several new findings were measured and discussed, and the data may be helpful for policy decisions.