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Presentation type	E-poster
Title	Is vision screening needed in Belgium by elderlies?

Purpose	Background: Visual impairment and blindness in elderly patients in nursing homes may be underreported. Globally 90% of vision impairment and blindness are avoidable and treatable. Vision impairment and blindness by elderlies in Nursing homes are more common than in communities Objective(s): The current aim of the study is to evaluate the prevalence of age-related eye diseases (AREDs), visual impairment, and blindness among the elderly in Belgium and other high-income European countries. The study seeks to identify preventable causes and risk factors, assess variability in eye health care across Belgium, and advocate for enhanced screening and treatment strategies
Methods	The study covers geographical regions globally with a specific focus on Belgium. It starts with a global literature review on age-related eye diseases (AREDs). Then it examines variations in eyecare services across different Belgian regions using data from health insurers and organizations to highlight differences in service availability and quality.
Results	The reported prevalence of AREDs in nursing homes showed a wide range for virtually all major conditions, such as cataracts (14,0-82,5%), glaucoma (5,3-41,4%), macular degeneration (4,6-70,7%), diabetic retinopathy (0,7-7,7%) and refractive error (6,6-57%), with some geographical variations across different parts of Belgium. The effect of vision screening on visual outcomes is statistically insignificant in most studies by community screening, as many only used a single question to assess vision.
Conclusion	The increasing prevalence of eye diseases among older adults in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the US highlights the need for improved eye care strategies. Belgium's vision screening funding is just 1,6% of the healthcare budget, below the European average, emphasizing the need for better resource allocation. Current screenings often miss critical conditions and face access disparities, making comprehensive eye exams essential. Future research should evaluate integrated care approaches, like the Triple Aim Plan, to improve elderly health outcomes. Relevance to practice: Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention in the elderly may significantly benefit quality of life. Still, it may not receive sufficient funding in Belgium, while it may vary among countries, from no screening in asymptomatic elderly, to free yearly vision screening of individuals over 65. Further well-designed and well-implemented research is needed.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	JAVDANI
Initials	Z

Authors 2

Last name	GOES
Initials	F Sr

Authors 3

Last name	VAN HAL
Initials	G