{"title":"Availability of Eye Care Services and Management Strategies for Ocular Conditions in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal.","authors":"Rorisang Mosololi, Velibanti Sukati, Pheagane Nkoana","doi":"10.2147/OPTO.S543461","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Many ocular conditions that lead to blindness or visual impairment are preventable or treatable with early diagnosis and timely access to eye care. However, individuals in low-income areas often encounter significant barriers. This study assessed eye care management strategies and facility availability for patients in the uMgungundlovu district.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective study was conducted using an online questionnaire and record card reviews to assess management strategies in selected public eye care facilities in uMgungundlovu from January to December 2022. Cluster sampling across 27 facilities was employed. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with descriptive statistics presented in graphs and tables. Significant differences in optometrist prescribing patterns were identified, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 1397 record cards were reviewed from seven facilities. Most patients received spectacles (n = 741, 53%), but 12.5% (n = 174) took six months or longer to receive them, and 12% (n = 167) did not receive them at all. Primary facilities occasionally supplied eye drops, requiring referrals to secondary hospitals for ongoing treatment. Statistically significant differences in optometrist prescribing patterns were found for spectacles (p = 0.039) and pharmaceutical treatments (p < 0.001) between primary and secondary care levels. Six out of seven representatives (85.7%) indicated that facilities lacked adequate ophthalmic equipment and qualified professionals. None of the facilities conducted data analysis, resulting in insufficient evidence-based information for planning.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The district faces healthcare access and management gaps. With 84% of the population relying on public services, a comprehensive eye care model (CEC) is essential for equitable access.</p>","PeriodicalId":43701,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Optometry","volume":"17 ","pages":"383-397"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12672156/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Optometry","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTO.S543461","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"OPHTHALMOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: Many ocular conditions that lead to blindness or visual impairment are preventable or treatable with early diagnosis and timely access to eye care. However, individuals in low-income areas often encounter significant barriers. This study assessed eye care management strategies and facility availability for patients in the uMgungundlovu district.
Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative, and retrospective study was conducted using an online questionnaire and record card reviews to assess management strategies in selected public eye care facilities in uMgungundlovu from January to December 2022. Cluster sampling across 27 facilities was employed. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with descriptive statistics presented in graphs and tables. Significant differences in optometrist prescribing patterns were identified, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: A total of 1397 record cards were reviewed from seven facilities. Most patients received spectacles (n = 741, 53%), but 12.5% (n = 174) took six months or longer to receive them, and 12% (n = 167) did not receive them at all. Primary facilities occasionally supplied eye drops, requiring referrals to secondary hospitals for ongoing treatment. Statistically significant differences in optometrist prescribing patterns were found for spectacles (p = 0.039) and pharmaceutical treatments (p < 0.001) between primary and secondary care levels. Six out of seven representatives (85.7%) indicated that facilities lacked adequate ophthalmic equipment and qualified professionals. None of the facilities conducted data analysis, resulting in insufficient evidence-based information for planning.
Conclusion: The district faces healthcare access and management gaps. With 84% of the population relying on public services, a comprehensive eye care model (CEC) is essential for equitable access.
期刊介绍：
Clinical Optometry is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal focusing on clinical optometry. All aspects of patient care are addressed within the journal as well as the practice of optometry including economic and business analyses. Basic and clinical research papers are published that cover all aspects of optics, refraction and its application to the theory and practice of optometry. Specific topics covered in the journal include: Theoretical and applied optics, Delivery of patient care in optometry practice, Refraction and correction of errors, Screening and preventative aspects of eye disease, Extended clinical roles for optometrists including shared care and provision of medications, Teaching and training optometrists, International aspects of optometry, Business practice, Patient adherence, quality of life, satisfaction, Health economic evaluations.
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