Causes of Visual Impairment and Common Eye Problems in Northwest American Indians and Alaska Natives (Draft)

Authors: Mansberger SL, Romero FC, Smith NH, Johnson CA, Cioffi GA, Edmunds B, Choi D, Becker T
Publication Year: 2005
Last Updated: 2016-01-19 16:43:13
Journal: American Journal of Public Health
Keywords: common eye problems, visual impairment; glaucoma; ocular hypertension; maculopathy; cataracts; macular degeneration; blindness; urban population; diabetic retinopathy;

Short Abstract:

Objectives. Little information exists regarding the causes of visual impairement and the most common eye problems in American Indians/Alaska Natives. Methods. We randomly sampled American Indians/Alaska natives older than 40 years from 3 tribes within the Northwest region.

Abstract:

Objectives: Little information exists regarding the causes of visual impairment and the most common eye problems in American Indians/Alaska Natives.

Methods. We randomly sampled American Indians/Alaska Natives older than 40 years from 3 tribes within the Northwest region.

Results. We found a higher prevalence of visual impairment and normal-tension glaucoma, as well as a lower prevalence of ocular hypertension, in American Indians/Alaska Natives compared with previous results in other racial/ethnic groups.

Conclusions: American Indians/Alaska Natives have a need for vision correction. Future interventions in American Indian/Alaska Natives should include providing spectacles for refractive error, detecting glaucoma, and preventing visual impairment from age-related maculopathy and cataracts.

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Source: Link to Original Article.
Funding: This study was supported by the American Glaucoma Society
Code: 2005
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