Research shows that African Americans are heavier burden DME -
Search Keck Medicine of USC ophthalmology researchers shows that African Americans are heavier burden of diabetic macular edema (DME), a leading cause of blindness in diabetic patients in the United States.
research published online today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology , indicates a higher burden of diabetes IP vision loss in certain ethnic populations due care access issues, said corresponding author Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, director of the eye Institute and USC professor and chairman of ophthalmology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
"We were surprised that our research has shown that African-Americans have EMR rates, higher when Hispanics tend to have the highest prevalence of diabetes," said Varma, who is recognized as one of the principal investigators of eye diseases in underserved populations. "There is not enough DME vision screening in diabetics, but there are many better therapies available that are covered by insurance. We hope our research will help those in position to influence policy for better control over costs and where the need for treatment is greatest. "
diabetic eye disease is the a leading cause of vision loss in older people 20-70 years. Approximately 347 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes mellitus, and the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 25.8 million Americans had diabetes in 2010.
diabetic macular edema results when fluid and protein accumulates on the macula of the eye, which is part of the retina, which causes thickening and swell. central vision of the victim is affected and untreated, the disease can vary from slight blur to blindness.
Varma team conducted the study using the National Health and the study database Nutrition Examination (NHANES), a measure of the national dataset health and nutritional status of adults and American children. The evaluation was a survey of about 5,000 Americans each year since the early 1960s and is used by researchers nationwide to determine the prevalence of major diseases and risk factors for disease.
As part of NHANES, subjects undergo a physical examination includes photos of their retinas, which team Varma examined to determine the prevalence of DME.
Clinicians should evaluate patients with diabetes, particularly those who are African American or Hispanic, closer to vision loss, Varma advised. He also said that patients should do their utmost to control their blood sugar and monitor their own vision. Varma said that August is when we commemorate National Eye examination Month -. A perfect time for ophthalmologists and patients to focus on eye health
Varma next target for research in this area is to examine the barriers to access to eye care among African Americans.
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