Eye diseases are a significant public health concern, affecting millions worldwide. However, the prevalence of these conditions varies considerably among different ethnic groups, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and culturally sensitive care.
This article explores the most noteworthy statistics on the prevalence of eye diseases in various ethnic populations. We’ll shed light on the existing disparities and the factors contributing to these differences.
Glaucoma: Higher Prevalence and Severity in Black and Hispanic Populations
Glaucoma, a group of eye disorders that can lead to vision loss and blindness, disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups.
The statistics on glaucoma prevalence and severity underscore the need for increased awareness and targeted interventions.
| Ethnic Group | Glaucoma Risk Compared to Whites |
| Black | 7x more likely to develop blindness, 15x more likely to experience visual impairment |
| Hispanic | Higher prevalence, but less pronounced than in Black individuals |
Despite the higher disease burden, Black people are underrepresented in clinical trials for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). They comprise only 16.8% of participants, while Hispanic/Latino individuals comprise only 3.4% of clinical trial participants.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Disproportionate Impact on Black and Hispanic Populations
Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, is another eye condition that varies significantly among ethnic groups.
The following statistics highlight the disparities in diabetic retinopathy prevalence:
| Ethnic Group | Diabetic Retinopathy Prevalence |
| Black | 36.7% |
| Hispanic | 37.4% |
| White | 24.8% |
| Chinese | 25.7% |
Higher rates of diabetic retinopathy in Black and Hispanic populations are partly attributed to longer duration of diabetes, higher fasting serum glucose, and greater waist-hip ratio.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Higher Prevalence in White Populations
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects the central part of the retina, shows a different pattern of prevalence among ethnic groups compared to glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
| Ethnic Group | Early-Stage AMD Prevalence | Late-Stage AMD Prevalence |
| White | 9.9% – 19.5% | 1.1% – 3.9% |
| Black | 2.4% | 0.3% |
| Hispanic | 4.2% | 0.2% |
| Chinese | 4.6% | 1.0% |
Differences in AMD prevalence among racial/ethnic groups are not fully explained by clinical, genetic, and environmental factors, suggesting other underlying causes.
Eye Care Access and Utilization: Disparities Among Ethnic Groups
Access to eye care services and regular eye exams plays a crucial role in the early detection and management of eye diseases. However, significant disparities exist in eye care access and utilization among different ethnic groups.
| Ethnic Group | Percentage with Eye Exam in the Last 12 Months |
| African American (65+) | 60% |
| Hispanic (18+) | 22.1% |
| Chinese American | 36% |
- People with less education and lower income are consistently less likely to have had an eye care visit in the past 12 months. For example, those with less than a high school education were less likely to visit an eye doctor compared to those with more than a high school education.
- The inability to afford eyeglasses has increased among non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics, particularly those with high school education and those with a poverty income ratio (PIR) of 1.00–1.99.
Unmet Vision Care Needs Among Children and Adolescents
Disparities in eye care access and utilization also extend to children and adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds, as evidenced by the following statistics:
- African American children with special health care needs had twice the odds of having unmet vision care needs compared to White children.
- Black and Mexican American adolescents reported poorer visual function and higher rates of worse than 20/40 vision compared to White adolescents. Socioeconomic status didn’t entirely explain these disparities.
- Systemic racism and barriers to healthcare, insurance, income, education, and housing contribute significantly to these disparities among children and adolescents.
Impact of Targeted Interventions and Culturally-Sensitive Care
We’re making progress in providing better eye care for different communities, but there’s still work to do. Here are some ways we’re trying to help:
- Personalized support. Reminders and transportation assistance can help people make it to their eye appointments, especially in Black and Latinx communities in the U.S.
- Working with communities. Involving the community in planning eye health programs helps them work better because they address everyone’s needs.
- Training for healthcare providers. Teaching doctors and nurses about different cultures leads to happier patients and better care overall.
Eye diseases disproportionately affect certain ethnic groups. For instance, Black and Hispanic populations face higher rates of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, while age-related macular degeneration is more prevalent in White populations.
Disparities in access to eye care further exacerbate these inequalities, particularly for those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Targeted interventions and culturally sensitive care have shown promise in addressing these disparities.
However, achieving lasting improvements in eye health for all communities requires addressing root causes like systemic racism and socioeconomic inequities. By doing this, we can ensure equitable access to care and resources for lifelong healthy vision for all.
In this article
