USPSTF Finds Insufficient Evidence for Vision Screening in Older Adults

Duplicating its 2009 finding, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded that “current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults” aged 65 and older.

Announced March 1 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the USPSTF did find adequate evidence to support that visual acuity testing alone does not accurately identify early eye conditions, such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. It also found adequate evidence to support the early treatment of refractive error, cataracts and AMD.

Meanwhile, the National Eye Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention both report the best way determine eye and vision health is with a comprehensive eye examination.