Clinicians’ Perspectives on Transportation Barriers to Low Vision Care in the Rural Midwest

Transportation barriers hinder millions of Americans from accessing low vision care, with challenges being particularly pronounced in rural areas. This study examines clinicians’ perspectives on these barriers, focusing on Nebraska and Kansas—two predominantly rural Midwestern states. Through semi-structured interviews with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and occupational therapists, this research highlights key issues, including transportation barriers to appointments, reliance on support networks, rural-specific challenges, and the limitations and strengths of existing transportation programs intended to facilitate access to care. These clinicians provide valuable insights, emphasizing the inaccessibility and unaffordability of transportation across different modes in these rural states.