Eye pain accounted for over 5 million outpatient and emergency visits annually in the U.S. from 2008 to 2019, with most cases being non–vision-threatening, highlighting the need for targeted treatments to reduce healthcare burden and optimize patient outcomes.

New research published in JAMA Ophthalmology revealed that eye pain was a significant cause of healthcare visits in the United States, providing crucial insights into the frequency, characteristics, and outcomes of these visits.

Study Overview

The cross-sectional analysis, led by researchers from the University of Michigan, used data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), covering outpatient clinics and EDs across the US. The researchers aimed to estimate the annual number of eye pain visits and examine patient demographics, visit characteristics, diagnoses, and follow-up recommendations.

Key Findings

1. Volume of Visits: Annually, there were approximately 4.6 million outpatient visits and 1.0 million ED visits for eye pain.
2. Patient Demographics: Outpatient visits predominantly involved women (63.2%) and individuals older than 60 years (46.6%), whereas ED visits were more common among men (51.8%) and younger patients under 45 years.
3. Nature of Diagnoses: Most diagnoses were non–vision-threatening in both settings, with 78.5% of outpatient and 69.9% of ED visits resulting in such diagnoses.
4. Follow-Up Care: A high percentage of visits recommended additional care—89.4% overall, with slightly higher follow-up rates for nonacute conditions in the outpatient setting.
5. Primary Reasons for Visits: Eye pain was the primary reason for 42% of outpatient and 67% of ED visits, indicating its significant role in prompting healthcare consultations.

The study highlighted the prevalence of eye pain as a common reason for medical visits and the importance of targeted treatments to alleviate the strain on healthcare resources. Ophthalmologists handled the majority of outpatient visits, indicating a need for expanding therapeutic options to manage non–vision-threatening causes effectively.

This comprehensive analysis provided a crucial understanding of eye pain's impact on healthcare utilization in the US. By focusing on tailored treatment approaches and preventive measures, healthcare providers could better address this pervasive issue, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the overall burden on the system.