Attitudinal Survey of Minority Populations on Eye and Vision Health and Research

Attitudinal Survey of Minority Populations on Eye and Vision Health and Research August 2014 National Public Opinion Poll

Sponsors Support for this poll was provided, in part, by the following: Research to Prevent Blindness Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR)

Minority Populations The National Poll was conducted online in August 2014 by Zogby Analytics for Research!America and the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research and supported by Research to Prevent Blindness. Sample sizes and theoretical sampling errors are as follows: : sample size, 417; margin of error, +/-4.9% : sample size, 301; margin of error, +/- 5.8% : sample size, 401; margin of error, +/- Non- : sample size, 925; margin of error, +/- 3.2% *Due to rounding, the total may not add to 100 on some slides.

Many s Rate Losing Eyesight as Having Greatest Impact in Daily Life (Cont.) On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 having the least impact and 10 having the greatest impact on your daily life, how would you rate: losing your eyesight 57% 10 (Greatest) 38% 9% 5 4 2% 7% 1 (Least) Non- 49% 1% Not Sure

Losing Hearing (Cont.) On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 having the least impact and 10 having the greatest impact on your daily life, how would you rate: losing your hearing 28% 10 (Greatest) 1 9% 5 17% 8% 7% 1 (Least) Non- 9% 2% Not Sure

Losing Memory (Cont.) On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 having the least impact and 10 having the greatest impact on your daily life, how would you rate: losing your memory 10 (Greatest) 47% 7% 3 9% 5 3 8% 1 (Least) Non- 40% 1% Not Sure

Losing Speech On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 having the least impact and 10 having the greatest impact on your daily life, how would you rate: losing your speech 29% 9% 7% 10 (Greatest) 19% 9% 10% 5 18% 9% 7% 1 (Least) Non- 1 9% Not Sure

Majority Concerned about Quality of Life As a Consequence of Vision Loss Which of the following would concern you as a consequence of losing your vision? 6 39% 59% 8% 17% Independence 6 4 60% 1 Productivity Quality of life 61% 49% 68% 10% 1 Other Non- 69% 4 7 8%

Blindness Ranked High with Other Conditions Among All Groups Which of the following diseases or ailments is the worst that could happen to you? 18% 1 17% 8% 30% Blindness 1 22% 9% 11% 31% Cancer AIDS/HIV 1 18% 3 Alzheimer's Non- 20% 19% 7% 2 21%

National Support of Eye and Vision Research a Priority How important is it that our nation supports research that focuses on improving prevention and treatment of eye and vision disorders? 5 30% 9% Very important 47% 32% 1 Somewhat important Non- 3 4 4 40% 1 11% Not very important Not at all important

Many Respondents Say Federal Funding Not Enough The federal government spends on average $2.10 per person each year on eye and vision research. Would you say that is.. 51% 2 2% 2 Not enough 50% 21% 2 Enough 3 31% 28% Too much Non- 47% 2 2

Non-Governmental Sectors Should Increase Funding In addition to the federal government, industry, patient groups and philanthropies pay for eye and vision research. Do you think all sectors should increase funding for this type of research? 51% 1 3 Yes 57% 1 30% No 49% 1 3 Non- 47% 17% 37%

Health Care Costs for Eye Disorders will Increase by 2050 In your view, how will health care costs from eye disorders change by the year 2050? 20% 30% 1 30% Increase significantly Increase slightly 2 28% 18% 7% 21% Remain unchanged Decrease slightly 28% 29% 1 22% Decrease significantly Non- 32% 30% 1 2% 20% Not Sure

Knowledge About Specific Eye Disorders Uneven Among All Groups How many of the following conditions have you heard of? (Check all that apply) Cataract 67% 67% 32% 3 22% Glaucoma 5 5 27% 3 3 Diabetic retinopathy or diabetic eye disease 5 5 3 37% 31% Age-related macular degeneration None of these Non- 72% 70% 41% 59% 22%

Excessive Sunlight or Ultraviolet Radiation Risk Factor for Eye Disease Do you agree or disagree that exposure to excessive sunlight or ultraviolet radiation is associated with greater risk of eye disease? 30% 40% 7% 21% Strongly agree Somewhat agree 39% 38% 1 Somewhat disagree 3 41% 7% 1 Strongly disagree Non- 3 4 1

Ethnic Heritage Risk Factor for Eye Disease Do you agree or disagree that individuals have different risks of eye disease depending on their ethnic heritage. 18% 3 1 9% 2 Strongly agree 2 3 11% 2 Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree 18% 4 10% 2% 2 Strongly disagree Non- 1 4 8% 2% 30%

Obesity Risk Factor for Eye Disease Do you agree or disagree that obesity is associated with greater risk of eye disease? 1 2 3 Strongly agree Somewhat agree 21% 31% 7% 28% 21% 3 1 2 Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Non- 1 3 1 30%

Smoking Also Considered Risk Factor for Eye Disease Do you agree or disagree that smoking is associated with greater risk of eye disease? 2 2 1 3 Strongly agree Somewhat agree 28% 3 8% 27% Somewhat disagree 2 3 2 Strongly disagree Non- 20% 3 2% 32%

About Half Would Participate in Eye and Vision Research if Recommended by Provider If a health care provider found a clinical trial on eye and vision research and recommended you join, how likely would you be to participate in a clinical trial? 18% 29% 19% 17% 17% Very likely 2 28% 1 1 19% Somewhat likely Not very likely 11% 38% 19% 20% Not al all likely Non- 18% 3 19% 1 1

Insurance Coverage for Routine Eye Exams or Glasses Split Among Respondents Many insurers such as Medicare and some private insurers help pay for medical care of eye diseases, but do not help pay for routine eye exams or glasses/contacts. Sometimes people have separate vision insurance to help pay for routine eye exams or glasses. Do you have insurance coverage for routine eye exams or glasses? 48% 40% 5 3 1 Yes No 5 31% Non- 50% 42% 8%

Insurance Situation Impacts Frequency of Eye Exams Select which statement best describes how your insurance situation impacts how often you have your eyes checked. 'Because of my insurance situation...' 31% 31% 11% 31% 27% 1 19% 1 I have eye exams less frequently than I would like I never have eye exams because I don't have insurance coverage I am able to have my eyes checked as often as I would like 29% 37% 11% 17% My insurance situation doesn't affect how often I have eye exams because I pay for my eyecare out of pocket Non- 29% 3 20% 11%

Strong Majority Agree that Good Eye Health is Important to Overall Health Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:' Good eye health is important to overall health.' 5 57% 27% 30% 10% Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree 50% 3 10% Strongly disagree Non- 5 3

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