Race and Ethnicity Differences in Disease Severity and Visual Field Progression Among Glaucoma Patients

Am J Ophthalmol. 2022 Oct:242:69-76. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2022.05.023. Epub 2022 May 30.

Abstract

Purpose: Investigate associations of race/ethnicity and preferred language with baseline glaucoma severity, VF test frequency and disease progression.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Patients receiving VF testing at a tertiary eyecare center between 1998 and 2020 with self-identified race, ethnicity and preferred language were included. Outcome measures were VF MD and age at first visit, VF test frequency, VF MD progression.

Results: Among 29,891 patients with VF measurements between 1998 and 2020, 55.1% were female, 71.0% self-identified as White/Caucasian, 14.0% as Black/African American, 7.4% as Asian and 6.4% as Hispanic, and 11.2% preferred a language other than English. Mean VF MD at presentation was worse among Black (-9.3±9.7 dB), Asian (-6.2±7.6 dB) and Hispanic (-8.3±9.3 dB) patients (vs. Whites [-5.5±7.3 dB, p<0.001] or non-Hispanics [-6.2±7.8 dB, p<0.001]). After controlling for age, gender and English proficiency, disparities in glaucoma severity at presentation were reduced, especially among Asian and Hispanic patients. Despite greater severity at presentation, Black patients had lower VF test frequency/person-years (1.07±0.53) compared to Whites (1.12±0.52, p=0.006) and worse VF MD progression (-0.43 dB/year, 95% CI -0.67 to -0.28, p<0.001). In contrast, Hispanics had a higher VF frequency vs. non-Hispanics (1.18±0.64 vs. 1.11±0.52, p<0.001), and no difference in VF progression (p=0.77).

Conclusions: Black, Asian and Hispanic patients had greater baseline severity vs. Whites. Unlike other groups, Black patients had a lower VF frequency vs. Whites and greater VF progression. Disparities in baseline severity were partially explained by English proficiency, especially for Asian and Hispanic patients.

Keywords: Glaucoma; glaucoma severity; racial disparities; visual field mean deviation; visual field testing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Disease Progression
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Glaucoma* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Vision Disorders
  • Visual Field Tests
  • Visual Fields*