Table 3.

Select survey results for healthcare access and utilisation of White and minority (Black, Asian, Hispanic, or more than one race) patients with optic neuritis. *percents are out of total responders to the healthcare access and utilisation survey in each demographic group.

	White (n = 361)		Minority (n = 151)
Condition	Count	%*	Count	%*	p-value
During the past 12 months, were you told by a health care provider or doctor’s office that they did not accept your health care coverage?
Yes	43	12.0	23	15.5	.28
No	316	88.0	125	84.5
During the past 12 months, have you seen or talked to an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor (someone who prescribes eyeglasses)?
Yes	240	80.0	101	78.9	.80
No	60	20.0	27	21.1
During the past 12 months, have you seen or talked to a doctor who specialises in a particular medical disease or problem?
Yes	252	87.2	98	77.8	.02
No	37	12.8	28	22.2
In the past 12 months, have you delayed getting care for any of the following reasons?
Didn’t have transportation
Yes	29	8.2	25	17.1	<.01
No	324	91.8	121	82.9
Your deductible was too high/or could not afford the deductible
Yes	31	9.9	21	16.0	.07
No	281	90.1	110	84.0
You had to pay out of pocket for some or all of the procedure
Yes	45	14.4	24	18.2	.32
No	267	85.6	108	81.8
During the past 12 months, was there any time when you needed any of the following, but didn’t get it because you couldn’t afford it?
Prescription medication
Yes	52	14.5	30	20.5	.10
No	306	85.5	116	79.5
To see a specialist
Yes	26	8.1	24	18.2	<.01
No	294	91.9	108	81.8
If you get sick or have an accident, how worried are you that you will be able to pay your medical bills?
Very worried	30	8.6	35	24.1	<.01
Somewhat worried	127	36.4	53	36.6
Not at all worried	192	55.0	57	39.3
During the past 12 months, were any of the following true for you?
You delayed filling a prescription to save money
Yes	54	15.4	26	18.2	.44
No	297	84.6	117	81.8
You asked your doctor for a lower cost medication to save money
Yes	70	21.1	30	21.0	.98
No	262	78.9	113	79.0

*Per cents are out of total responders to the healthcare access and utilisation survey in each demographic group.