The prevalence and risk indicators of uncorrected refractive error and unmet refractive need in Latinos: the Los AngelesLatino Eye Study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the age- and sex-specific prevalence and risk indicators of uncorrected refractive error and unmet refractive need among a population-based sample of Latino adults.


METHODS
Self-identified Latinos 40 years of age and older (n = 6129) from six census tracts in La Puente, California, underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, and a home-administered questionnaire provided self-reported data on potential risk indicators. Uncorrected refractive error was defined as a >or=2-line improvement with refraction in the better seeing eye. Unmet refractive need was defined as having <20/40 visual acuity in the better seeing eye and achieving >or=20/40 after refraction (definition 1) or having <20/40 visual acuity in the better seeing eye and achieving a >or=2-line improvement with refraction (definition 2). Sex- and age-specific prevalence and significant risk indicators for uncorrected refractive error and unmet refractive need were calculated.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of uncorrected refractive error was 15.1% (n = 926). The overall prevalence of unmet refractive need was 8.9% (n = 213, definition 1) and 9.6% (n = 218, definition 2). The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error and either definition of unmet refractive need increased with age (P < 0.0001). No sex-related difference was present. Older age, <12 years of education, and lack of health insurance were significant independent risk indicators for uncorrected refractive error and unmet refractive need.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that the prevalence of uncorrected refractive error and unmet refractive need is high in Latinos of primarily Mexican ancestry. Better education and access to care in older Latinos are likely to decrease the burden of uncorrected refractive error in Latinos.
Varma
Rohit
R
Doheny Eye Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. rvarma@usc.edu
Wang
Michelle Y
MY
Ying-Lai
Mei
M
Donofrio
Jill
J
Azen
Stanley P
SP
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data