Visual impairment and eye care among Alaska Native people.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of visual impairment, eye disease and eye care in the Alaska Native (AN) population, by demographic and socioeconomic factors.


METHODS
Population-based cross-sectional study of 3,793 AN adults aged 18-94 years enrolled in the Education and Research Towards Health (EARTH) Study from March 2004-March 2006. Data on self-reported visual impairment, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and previous dilated eye examinations were collected using audio computer-assisted self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
The unadjusted prevalence of self-reported visual impairment was 8.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.9-9.7), cataract 5.9% (95% CI: 5.2-6.7), glaucoma 2.5% (95% CI: 2.0-3.0) and diabetic eye disease 1.3% (95% CI: 0.9-1.7). In all cases, age-sex adjusted prevalence estimates for the AN population were greater than available estimates for the general U.S. population. Prevalence of visual impairment and each eye disease increased with age (P < 0.01). Additional factors associated with visual impairment were education and annual household income. Overall, 70.0% (95% CI: 68.5-71.6) of participants reported a dilated eye examination within the previous two years. Dilated eye examination within the previous two years was associated with increasing age (P < 0.001). However, men and participants with lower formal education were less likely to report recent dilated eye examination. Among those with diabetes, only 67.7% (95% CI: 60.8-74.1) reported a dilated eye examination within the recommended previous one year.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported visual impairment, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease are prevalent in the AN population. These data may be useful in healthcare planning and education programs.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4000 Ambassador Drive, C-DCHS, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA. sahaymes@anmc.org
Sharon A
SA
Haymes
Jessica D
JD
Leston
Elizabeth D
ED
Ferucci
Ruth A
RA
Etzel
Anne P
AP
Lanier
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000208:ethnology*; D004930:Inuit / Q000208:ethnology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult