A Survey of Eye Disease in Adult Latino Patients in Boston: A Community Health Center Perspective

摘要

Background. The purpose of this study was to survey the prevalence of ocular disease and associated systemic conditions in an adult Latino population of mostly Caribbean individuals seeking eye care in two Boston community health centers. Methods. Records of 301 Latino patients more than 40 years old were reviewed in a retrospective chart study from Eye Clinics in two community health centers. Data was collected on demographics and ocular diagnoses including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration (ARMD), as well as hypertension and dry eye. Results. 223 of the 301 (74%) eligible patients were female. 62.1% were Dominican, and 22.6% were Puerto Rican. 91 patients (30.2%) had Type II diabetes, 20 (6.6%) had diabetic retinopathy; 13 patients (4.32%) had glaucoma; 186 patients (61.8%) had cataracts; and 1 patient had ARMD. In addition, 113 patients (38.70%) had hypertension and 62 patients (21.23%) had dry eye. Conclusions. Adult Latino patients seeking eye care in the two health centers were mainly female, of Caribbean descent, and likely to have nuclear sclerosis and dry eye. There was a low prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, ARMD and open-angle glaucoma. More research is needed to understand the ocular health of Latinos, the fastest growing minority group in the United States.