The Prevalence Of Ocular And Systemic Disorders In A Hospital-Based Veterans Administration Optometry Clinic.

This study calculated the prevalence of ocular and systemic disorders among optometric patients of the V.A. Medical Center, Battle Creek. The charts of 768 optometry clinic patients were retrospectively reviewed. Age, race, visual acuity ofbest eye, refractive
status, recall date, and the presence of ocular or systemic disorders were analyzed. Age-adjusted prevalence rates for ocular and systemic disorders were significantly higher in this veteran population compared to the general U.S . population. The elevated rate of disease and comorbidity among patients receiving care at this Veterans Administration Optometry clinic emphasizes the importance of yearly eye exams for every veteran.