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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 1/2019

01-02-2019 | Review Paper

Visual Health and Visual Healthcare Access in Refugees and Displaced Persons: A Systematic Review

Authors: Sila Bal, Anne Duckles, Alison Buttenheim

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Vision impairment is a significant global health concern. Still, there remains a gap in our knowledge of visual health in refugees. We conducted a systematic review of the distinctive eye care needs of refugees. We screened PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science through February 17, 2017 for studies that focused primarily on visual health in refugees. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute quality assessment tools. 26 studies were included in the final review. The prevalence of blindness ranged from 1.3 to 26.2%. Trachoma was the leading infectious cause. Only four studies assessed vision-related care. Time/location of displacement, social unrest, and sanitation impacted severity of eye disease. Refugees have unique eye care needs. Public health interventions should target eye care at every stage of displacement. Providers may use these results to inform future research and improve visual healthcare access in refugee groups.
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Metadata
Title
Visual Health and Visual Healthcare Access in Refugees and Displaced Persons: A Systematic Review
Authors
Sila Bal
Anne Duckles
Alison Buttenheim
Publication date
01-02-2019
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 1/2019
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0766-x

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