Statistics bear out the disproportionate burden of glaucoma on racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Dr. Yvonne Ou, of the University of California, San Francisco, UCSF Medical Center, explains the health inequities that occur within glaucoma and empowers patients on how to become their own best advocates for their health.*

What can we see from the statistics?

According to National Eye Institute (NEI) data from 2010 and supporting findings from other studies:

• Black and Latinx people have a greater risk of developing glaucoma than White people.
• The proportion of Black people with open-angle glaucoma is twice as high as that of White people.
• Latinx and Hispanic people also have a higher incidence (new cases) of glaucoma as they age in comparison to White people.
• Black people tend to be diagnosed with glaucoma at a younger age than White people.
• Black people have more glaucoma-related optic nerve damage at the time of diagnosis than White people and it is more difficult to treat.
• Black people have a higher risk of blindness from glaucoma than White people.

What causes these health inequities?

While there are several ongoing genetic studies, attention is also being focused on the impact of social determinants of health on vision care, as well as outcomes among racial minorities.

Social determinants of health are the collective conditions in which people live, work, learn, and play. They encompass the physical environments (both natural and built), social environment (at home and in the community), economic environment, and access to a variety of health supports, including fresh, nutritious food, and healthcare services.

One recent study examined patients’ ethnicity and insurance coverage in regards to the odds of receiving common tests that diagnose and monitor glaucoma. 

The study found that:

• Medicaid patients were approximately 3.3 times less likely to receive either a visual field test or an optic nerve imaging test when compared to patients who had private insurance. 
• Black Medicaid patients, specifically, had even higher odds of not receiving these tests when compared to both White and Latinx/Hispanic patients.

What steps can I take to help bridge these gaps?

As a patient, there are steps you can take to feel empowered and ensure that you receive quality vision and glaucoma care. 

• Educate yourself about health disparities. Find out what high-quality care consists of and what might be missing from your current care plan.
• Educate yourself about glaucoma. Use as many diverse, reputable sources as possible to gather information. Knowing the right questions to ask your doctor is critical to receiving helpful answers.
• Find an ophthalmologist you trust. Take the time to find an ophthalmologist who is knowledgeable about your particular condition and whom you trust to act in your best interests. 

When it comes to healthcare, you are your own best advocate.

*Ou, Y. (2020, Aug. 7). Health Disparities in Glaucoma. BrightFocus Foundation. https://www.brightfocus.org/glaucoma/article/health-disparities-glaucoma

Any sources from outside of Prevent Blindness do not imply an endorsement from Prevent Blindness. The contents of the material used are the responsibility of the authoring organization, Responsum Health.