Disparities in Vision Impairment and Eye Diseases among Early Late-Life Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation, Michigan Site

Objective: To quantify the burden of vision impairment (VI) and ocular conditions among early late-life women. Methods: Women (n = 254, mean age 66.0 years) participated in a comprehensive vision assessment. Visual acuity (VA) and ocular disorders (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, hypertensive retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts) were defined clinically. Race, economic strain and education were self-reported. Results: The prevalence of presenting VI (VA 20/40 or worse) was 11.0% and 75% of that was correctable (best-corrected VI 2.8%). Black women and those with greater economic strain or less education had a higher prevalence of presenting VI. These disparities were no longer present after considering best-corrected VI. Ocular disease prevalence ranged from 3.3% (age-related macular degeneration) to 30.2% (hypertensive retinopathy), but most participants were unaware of their ocular diagnosis. Conclusion: The discordance of presenting versus best-corrected VI and lack of knowledge of ocular conditions suggests a need for increased vision services. Access to optimal vision correction may attenuate differences across sociodemographic groups.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to measure the burden of vision impairment and ocular conditions in late-life women. The study found that black women and those with greater economic strain or less education had a higher prevalence of vision impairment. However, most participants were unaware of their ocular diagnosis. This highlights the need for increased vision services and access to optimal vision correction to reduce disparities across sociodemographic groups.