Jan 8
Higher Rates of Visual Impairment Among LGBTQ+ Older Adults Reveal the Need for Inclusive, Accessible Eye Care
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Health disparities may be compounded as LGBTQ+ adults age. For instance, a previous article reports that in addition to poverty and economic insecurity, LGBTQ+ seniors face unique healthcare challenges compared to their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. Findings by the AARP Foundation indicate that 23% of LGBTQ+ individuals in New York have inadequate insurance coverage, affecting how they access essential health services. Moreover, 41% of LGBTQ+ seniors report having a physical or mental disability.
Beyond these figures, research studies also reveal disparities in LGBTQ+ older adults' vision health, in particular, especially considering vision tends to decline with age. Continue reading to learn more about the disproportionately higher rates of visual impairment in this demographic, and what can be done to make eye care more inclusive and accessible.
LGBTQ+ seniors are more vulnerable to visual impairments
In general, LGBTQ+ adults, especially transgender individuals, are reported to be less likely to seek routine and preventive healthcare. They are also at higher risk of conditions like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and substance abuse, with such disparities affecting their outcomes for other aspects of health and well-being, including vision health.
In relation to these findings, a 2024 study published in the Journal of Health and Social Sciences found that LGBTQ+ elders face higher rates of visual impairment than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts. These vision problems include refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia, and age-related progressive eye conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.
The rates of visual impairment are also disproportionately distributed among LGBTQ+ seniors who are part of ethnic minority groups. Older LGBTQ+ individuals who are Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islanders are more likely to be visually impaired than African Americans and Whites. Considering clear vision is crucial to overall health and quality of life, these compounding factors reveal the need to enhance the inclusion and accessibility of essential eye care, such as eyewear and eye exams.
Expanding LGBTQ+ seniors' access to essential vision care
As previously mentioned, the vision problems experienced by LGBTQ+ elders can be age-related, such as presbyopia, which makes it difficult to focus on nearby objects. Presbyopia can be corrected by reading glasses, and this type of prescription eyewear is increasingly becoming accessible to seniors who may be isolated or disconnected from health services through online retailers.
For example, Readers' online selection includes bifocal reading glasses, which accommodate both near and distant vision. In addition to the timeless frame styles suitable for all ages, such as the tortoiseshell-patterned Ivy League, the glasses are available in varying magnification powers to suit seniors' prescriptions. They also have additional lens features, such as ultraviolet protection to better preserve eyesight.
Meanwhile, eye exams serve as routine and preventive care, as they can monitor LGBTQ+ seniors' visual acuity and also detect the early signs and symptoms of age-related eye conditions like glaucoma. Since providers who are not supportive or sensitive to specific gender-based needs may deter LGBTQ+ patients from getting comprehensive eye exams, various organizations are making an effort to improve cultural competence and gender sensitivity among eye care professionals.
Notable examples include the initiatives led by the People Respecting Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity of LGBTQ+ (PRIDE ODs) at the New England College of Optometry, which raises awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in optometry through standardized inclusivity training and symposiums. Their case-based approaches and lectures on gender-inclusive and intersectional care highlight practices like updating intake forms to include pronouns, non-gendered language, and transgender options, as well as using open-ended questions when inquiring about sexual history or relationships.
Overall, prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in eye care services can help diagnose, treat, and manage LGBTQ+ seniors' vision conditions and ultimately improve their health outcomes and quality of life.
