A Study on the Actual Condition of Ophthalmic Medical Institutions in Korea

Purpose: Approximately 90% of the medical institutions in Korea are located in cities, so there is a disparity in medical resource distribution between urban and rural areas. In order to establish an equal healthcare system, it is necessary to understand the distribution and treatments offered by medical institutions and to investigate access to these facilities. In the present study, we investigated medical institutions offering ophthalmic examinations for children in Korea. Methods: The presence or absence of regional eye clinics and ophthalmologists in public health centers, public health offices, and military medical facilities were investigated in different cities and counties. In addition, the population status and ophthalmic facilities in vulnerable areas were investigated. Results: In the second quarter of 2021, there were 1,658 regional eye clinics in Korea located in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, and Daegu, respectively. There were a total of 3,610 ophthalmologists in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Busan, and Daegu, respectively. Among the 250 counties, 20 did not have eye clinics while 13 did not have an ophthalmologist. The average time required to reach the closest eye examination center was 48.0 ± 38.1 minutes by car and 75.1 ± 40.0 minutes by public transportation. The total population in vulnerable areas was 558,336, including 28,358 children under the age of 10 years. Conclusions: The present study identified vulnerable areas for eye examinations. Based on the findings, it is necessary to establish a healthcare system with improved accessibility, equity, and efficiency considering the importance of ophthalmic examinations in children and the elderly.