Social determinants of health and health disparities in glaucoma: A review

Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2024 Apr;52(3):276-293. doi: 10.1111/ceo.14367. Epub 2024 Feb 22.

Abstract

Social determinants of health and barriers to care can significantly impact patients' access to glaucoma care and treatment, resulting in disparities within disease presentation, progression, management, and treatment outcomes. The widespread adoption of electronic health record systems has allowed researchers and clinicians to further explore these relationships, identifying factors such as race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status to be risk factors for more severe disease and lower treatment adherence. These disparities highlight potential targets for interventions to combat these disparities and improve overall patient outcomes. This article provides a summary of the available data on health disparities within glaucoma disease presentation, progression, management, treatment, and outcomes and discusses interventions to improve care delivery and outcomes among patients with glaucoma.

Keywords: glaucoma; health disparate; healthcare disparities; minority and vulnerable populations; social determinants of health; socioeconomic disparities in health.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ethnicity
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Social Class
  • Social Determinants of Health*
  • Treatment Outcome