U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of adults who have had a comprehensive eye exam in the last 2 years — V‑02 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 52.5 percent of adults aged 18 years and over had a dilated eye examination within the past 2 years, as reported in 2023

Target: 57.4 percent

Numerator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over who report they had a dilated eye exam within the past 2 years.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over.
Target-setting method
Projection
Target-setting method details
Linear trend fitted using weighted least squares and a projection at the 33 percent prediction interval.
1
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were evaluated for this objective. Using historical data points, a trend line was fitted using weighted least squares, and the trend was projected into the next decade. This method was used because three or more comparable data points were available, the projected value was within the range of possible values, and a projection at the 33 percent prediction interval was selected because a modest increase was projected, with data from 2016-17 and 2023 showing slight increases in the percentage of adults getting comprehensive eye exams. The National Eye Health Education Program emphasizes this objective as a top priority, making this target ambitious yet achievable.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2023 National Health Interview Survey Vision Supplement:

Numerator and Denominator:
When was the last time you had an eye exam in which the pupils were dilated? This would have made you temporarily sensitive to bright light.
  1. Less than 1 month
  2. 1 to 12 months
  3. 13 to 24 months
  4. More than 2 years
  5. Never
  6. Refused
  7. Don't know

Methodology notes

Among adults, the appropriate time interval for getting a dilated eye exam is generally considered to be within the past 2 years. Adults who respond "less than 1 month," "1 to 12 months," or "13 to 24 months" to the above question are considered to be getting a dilated eye exam within the appropriate time interval. Among persons with diabetes, the appropriate time interval is 1 year. Adults with diabetes who respond "less than 1 month" or "1-12 months" to the question are getting a dilated eye exam at the appropriate interval.

Age-adjustment notes

This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

  • Total: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Sex: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Race/Ethnicity: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Educational Attainment: 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Family Type: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Country of Birth: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Disability Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Geographic Location: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Health Insurance Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64
  • Sexual orientation: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Marital Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Modified, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 but underwent a change in measurement.
Changes between HP2020 and HP2030
Due to 2019 NHIS redesign, 2023 data were not directly comparable with 2017 baseline and earlier years.
Revision History
Revised. 

In 2024, this objective was revised due to the 2019 NHIS redesign. The baseline was revised from 58.8% in 2017 to 52.5% in 2023. The target was revised from 61.1% to 57.4% using the original target setting method.

1. Because Healthy People 2030 objectives have a desired direction (e.g., increase or decrease), the confidence level of a one-sided prediction interval can be used as an indication of how likely a target will be to achieve based on the historical data and fitted trend.