๐๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก: ๐ ๐๐๐ค๐-๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ...
๐Bridging the Gap: investigating Pediatric Eye Care Access Across the US
๐Access to pediatric eye care is a critical aspect of childrenโs health, yet a recent study sheds light on significant gaps in access across the United States. Investigators conducted a comprehensive cross-sectional study to pinpoint the geographic distribution of pediatric eye care providers compared to patient demographics, aiming to identify areas lacking adequate access to care.
๐Utilising four public databases, researchers meticulously tracked the practise locations of pediatric optometrists and ophthalmologists across the nation from April 2023 to July 2023. The findings revealed a total of 586 pediatric optometrists and 1060 pediatric ophthalmologists practising within the specified timeframe.
๐Alarmingly, the study unveiled that out of the 2,834 counties without pediatric ophthalmologists, a staggering 2,731 also lacked pediatric optometrists. This disparity highlights the urgent need to extend pediatric eye care across, particularly in underserved areas identified in the studyโs data.
๐ถThe implications of this research are profound, underscoring the pressing necessity for interventions to bridge the gap in pediatric eye care access. With a substantial portion of counties in the US lacking access to essential eye care services for children, efforts to address this disparity are crucial for safeguarding the visual health and well-being of the nationโs youth.
#optometrists #optometry #ophthalmologists #ophthalmology #eyecare
