Burden and Predictors of Undetected Eye Disease in Mexican-Americans

Abstract

Background-Latinos have one of the highest rates of visual impairment associated with eye disease in the United States. Although little is known about the prevalence and risk of undetected eye disease (UED) in this population, it is known that Latinos encounter disproportionate barriers in accessing health care, which may influence the burden of UED.

Evidence-based clinical guidelines for immigrants and refugees

“…584,[586][587][588] Recent immigration 582,583 has been identified as a risk factor for vision loss, the most common cause of which is uncorrected refractive error. 582,585,589 The prevalence of vision loss (< 6/15) due to uncorrected refractive error is estimated at 5.4% for those 12 and older in the general population and substantially higher in minority populations.…”

“…581 Similar global disparities in access to care are anticipated for other common causes of vision loss. 579 In the United States, minority populations have higher levels of vision loss and undiagnosed eye disease [582][583][584][585] than does the general population. Numerous factors contribute to this disparity, including socioeconomic status, access to care, societal conventions, and physiologic and anatomic differences.…”

Ophthalmic manifestations of endocrine disorders: approaches and medical management

“…(1) blurring of vision, (2) cataract formation, (3) diabetic pupil, (4) diabetic retinopathy, (5) macular edema, (6) retinal neovascularization, (7) vitreous hemorrhage, (8) retinal detachment, (9) neovascularization of the iris (i.e. Rubeosis iridis), (10) cranial nerveCN III, IV and VI palsy.…”

“…Cataract formation is a common cause of vision loss in diabetic patients [8]. It is estimated that diabetics have a 60% increased risk of developing cataracts [9].…”

Handheld ultrahigh speed swept source optical coherence tomography instrument using a MEMS scanning mirror

“…In East Baltimore, a 1994 study with 405 general medicine patients over the age of 40 of whom 94% were black showed that 50.6% of patients had clinically important ocular pathology and one third of those were unaware of the disease [3]. A study of 6,357 Latinos showed 53% of subjects had eye disease and of those, 63% had undetected eye disease [4]. One method of early detection is to screen elderly individuals for early signs of retinal diseases [5].…”