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| Clinical- Special Populations- Minority Health - Ophthalmology |
U.S. Latinos Have High Rates of Eye Disease and Visual Impairment- 5/6/2005 |
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Latinos living in the United States have high rates of eye disease and visual impairment, according to a research study, and a significant number may be unaware of their eye disease. This study, called the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES), is the largest, most comprehensive epidemiological analysis of visual impairment in Latinos conducted in the U.S. It was funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), two components of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH). Study results are published in the June, July and August 2004 issues of the journal Ophthalmology. Researchers found that Latinos had high rates of diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication of diabetes; and open-angle glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve. Study investigators gave a detailed health interview and clinical examination to more than 6,300 Latinos, primarily Mexican-Americans, aged 40 and older from the Los Angeles area, assessing their risk factors for eye disease and measuring health-related and vision-related quality of life. Each participant received a blood test for diabetes and a comprehensive eye exam that included photographs of the back of the eye. "This research has provided much needed data on eye disease among the fastest growing minority group in the United States," said Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., director of the NIH. "Several epidemiological studies have been conducted on the prevalence and severity of major eye diseases in White and Black populations, however there have been relatively few such studies in Latino populations,"said Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NEI."This study highlights the importance of providing health education and vision care to Latinos." More in this story can be found at the NIH site at http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2004/nei-09.htm.
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