Describing the Eye Health of Newly Arrived Refugees in Adelaide, South Australia
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15460394 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kate Murton (SA Health, corresponding author), Antonietta Maldari (SA Health), Joanne Thomas (0000-0001-6354-541X, SA Health), Jan L Williams (SA Health), M Nejatian (0000-0001-5326-8412, Lions Eye Institute), Hessom Razavi (0000-0002-2232-8731, Lions Eye Institute), Lillian Mwanri (0000-0002-5792-7785, Torrens University Australia) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue | 7 |
| Pages | 869-869 |
| Publication date | 2024-07-02 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph21070869 |
| PMID | 39063446 |
| OpenAlex | W4400293915 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 4 |
This study describes the eye health of newly arrived refugees attending a state-funded health service in Adelaide, South Australia, helping to address the paucity of data on the eye health of refugees. Patients attending the Refugee Health Service undergo comprehensive assessment by an on-site optometrist with accredited interpreters if they have eye symptoms, personal or family history of eye disease, or visual impairment (using World Health Organization definitions). A retrospective audit of this service was performed to obtain patient demographics, presenting best-corrected distance visual acuity (better-seeing eye), diagnoses, and management. In 2017-2018, 494 of the 1400 refugees attending the service underwent an optometry assessment (age range 1-86 years, mean age 33.1 ± 18.6 years, 53% female). Regions of origin included the Middle East (25%), Bhutan (24%), Afghanistan (22%), Myanmar (15%), and Africa (14%). Of the 124 cases of visual impairment, 78% resolved with corrective lenses and 11% were due to cataracts. Ophthalmology follow-up was required for 56 (11%) patients, mostly for cataracts (22 patients). Newly arrived refugees have high rates of visual impairment from refractive error and cataracts. Integration of optometry and state-based refugee health services may improve the timely detection and treatment of these conditions
Cataracts · Eye examination · Family medicine · Geography · Psychiatry · Refractive error · Refugee · Visual acuity · Visual impairment · Glaucoma and retinal disorders · Medicine · Ophthalmology and Visual Impairment Studies · Retinal and Optic Conditions · Ophthalmology · Optometry
The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health
Causes of blindness and vision impairment in 2020 and trends over 30 years, and prevalence of avoidable blindness in relation to Vision 2020
Health and Social Care Needs of Somali Refugees With Visual Impairment (VIP) Living in the United Kingdom
Rates and Predictors of Professional Interpreting Provision for Patients With Limited English Proficiency in the Emergency Department and Inpatient Ward
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |