How eye care coverage affects access to eye care and falls in low-income seniors
Official title: Impact of routine eye care coverage on access to eye care and fall-related outcomes among low-income Medicare enrollees
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11116845 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having Medicaid cover eye exams and glasses helps older adults with low income get better eye care and possibly reduces their chances of falling by improving their vision.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $469,490 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY033746-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11116845 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income Medicare enrollees aged 65 and older who may qualify for Medicaid benefits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not meet the income criteria for Medicaid or are under 65 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of Medicaid coverage for routine eye exams and glasses on access to eye care and fall-related outcomes among low-income Medicare enrollees aged 65 and older. It aims to determine whether having vision services covered leads to more eye care visits and reduces the risk of falls by improving vision. The study will analyze data from 2000 to 2019, focusing on dual-eligible individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. By examining various measures of eye care access and outcomes, the research seeks to provide insights into the importance of vision coverage for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to eye care for low-income seniors, potentially reducing their risk of falls and related injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that improved access to eye care can lead to better health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield significant benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lipton, Brandy — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Lipton, Brandy
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.