Access to Pediatric Eye Care by Practitioner Type, Geographic Distribution, and US Population Demographics.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Investigating disparities in service coverage of pediatric optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists in relation to patient demographics will illuminate vulnerable populations and inform future interventions.

Objective

To characterize the geographic distribution of pediatric eye care practitioners and analyze its association with population demographics.

Design, setting, and participants

In this cross-sectional study, 4 public databases were used to identify the addresses of pediatric optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists in the US in April 2023. Addresses were geocoded, and population demographic data were collected. Pediatric optometrists and pediatric ophthalmologists listed in the public databases, as well as respondents to the 2020 US census, w

SUBMITTER: Siegler NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11009863 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature