Disparities in Queer Vision and Eye Care — And What We Can Do About It
By Dale Nelson
Disparity in health and access to healthcare has long been a concern for minorities and underrepresented communities around the world. In vision and eye care especially, the lack of diversity and equity tends to be overlooked.
A study on diversity and equity in ophthalmology highlights that while there have been efforts and initiatives over the years to increase gender and racial diversity in the field, there is a lack of movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals interested in pursuing careers in ophthalmology. For example, national organizations such as Women in Ophthalmology and the Minority Ophthalmology Mentoring program have been crucial in actively supporting and recruiting women and underrepresented minorities. However, there's still a clear need for LGBTQ+ diversity, equity, and inclusion in ophthalmology.
Over the years, reports have shown that LGBTQ+ medical residents and attending physicians experience increased rates of depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, student members of the community are also more likely to report higher rates of burnout and discrimination. 30% of general surgery residency applicants and 41% of practicing LGBTQ+ physicians choose not to disclose their sexual orientation due to fear of rejection or reprisal. This underrepresentation of the LGBTQ+ community in the medical and ophthalmological fields also directly impacts fellow LGBTQ+ patients and their access to care and treatment due to similar reasons — potential discrimination and a lack of awareness.
To envision a more optimistic future for queer vision and eye care, it's important to understand the factors currently impacting the LGBTQ+ community's access to eye health solutions and resources. In this post, we'll take a closer look at some of the common cases of disparity in queer vision and eye care and discuss some ways we can mitigate the problem:
Disparities in queer vision and eye care
Inequality in health and eye care for the LGBTQ+ community works, as expected, similarly to other areas of health and medical care, such as blood donations. Research from The Joint Commission and Institute of Medicine highlights inequality in healthcare for the community, especially for transgender patients seeking routine and preventative care. Cultural sensitivity when it comes to handling minorities like LGBTQ+ individuals has been an uphill journey and has had its documented history of ups and downs.
In 2023, advocacy groups were still calling for the US Food and Drug Administration to end restrictions on cornea donations from gay and bisexual men. Eye health advocates, along with the Cornea Society and the Eye Bank Association of America, have asked the agency to reduce a 5-year exclusionary period for men who have sex with men to 90 days, if not eliminate the restriction. Of course, progress isn't hopeless. The FDA lowered the deferral period for gay and bisexual men for donating blood from one year to 90 days in 2020 before lifting the abstinence requirement this year. Dr. David Glasses from the American Academy of Ophthalmology stated that the goal is for "the majority of gay men who wish to be cornea donors to be eligible." A 2020 study suggested that thousands of healthy corneas are rejected annually in the US and Canada due to outdated rules.
Promoting eye health awareness
One of the most important steps to making vision and eye care accessible to LGBTQ+ individuals is understanding how their lifestyle differs and shares similarities with non-LGBTQ+ patients. For example, social media use is especially popular among LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youths. This is because these platforms can provide a space that counters heteronormative environments and potentially support their mental health and well-being, allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to connect with each other and build support networks.
However, the increased social media and digital device use, while beneficial for their mental well-being, also puts their eye health at risk. Studies have long looked at the effects of blue light on vision and eye health. Blue light is known to cause eye fatigue and discomfort after long periods of exposure. As such, normalizing practices like wearing blue light glasses is essential for promoting better eye health practices and outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals. Eyewear retailer LensCrafters offers blue light-filtering eyewear from brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, with products made from high-quality materials to preserve visual comfort. Eyewear like blue light glasses and other protective lenses are also conveniently more gender-neutral compared to other fashion and style accessories, which can make promoting eye health practices easier for LGBTQ+ patients.
Championing queer-owned eyewear and care businesses
Finally, vision and eye care differ from most medical fields in that they combine the medical and health aspects (getting diagnosed with an eye condition) seamlessly with the business side (buying eyewear for treatment or care). As such, bridging the vision and eye care gap for LGBTQ+ individuals and patients requires a look at the eyewear industry. Eyewear products made by members of the LGBTQ+ community are also likely more suited to the preferences, concerns, and sensitivities exclusive to the community, allowing queer patients to access the care and solutions that they need without fear of being shamed or turned away.
INVISION recently shined a spotlight on queer-owned optical boutique Eyewear Love Affair. Aside from the instantly sold-out Godxx Eyewear eyewear line from owner Autianna Wilson, Eyewear Love Affair focuses on providing a space where everyone feels welcomed and represented. Queer-owned eyewear businesses are also in the position to innovate the market. Instead of simply selling eyewear, Eyewear Love Affair looks to provide customized and tailored eyewear experiences, marketing them as "eyewear wardrobes" — clients rarely buy just one pair, as some leave with four or five.
While we're certainly still some ways away from making vision and eye care accessible for all LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, it's important to acknowledge the steps toward progress being made. If you found this post interesting, you may like our previous post highlighting IVF providers and how they help LGBTQ+ families grow and build a home.