¡Ojo!
At USC, the largest comprehensive study ever undertaken to identify eye problems in the Latino population is underway.
by Eva Emerson
Backed by a $6 million grant from the National Eye Institute, USC researchers are poised to begin a landmark survey of eye health in the Latino community of Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES) represents the largest and most comprehensive effort to track the causes of blindness and access to eye care among the nation's fastest growing ethnic group to date, says study leader Rohit Varma, M.D., M.P.H., USC assistant professor of ophthalmology.
"This study will allow us to identify the most pressing needs in
eye care in the Latino population," Varma says. The team's long-term
goal is to lay the groundwork for better eye care programs for people of
Hispanic descent.
Previous studies of eye health in largely African-American and Caucasian populations have revealed that the prevalence of eye diseases varies by race. "Cataract and glaucoma are the primary causes of blindness in African-Americans. In Caucasians, it is macular degeneration. Currently, we know very little about the extent and types of eye disease in Latinos," Varma says.
The Latino Eye Study team plans to enroll more than 8,500 Latino men and women over the age of 40 who live in the communities in and around the city of La Puente. Researchers will screen participants for eye disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. They will also conduct interviews with participants to gather information about eye disease risk factors-such as weight, sun exposure, family history of eye disease and alcohol use-and information about health care access.
The Latino Eye Study is a collaboration between eye specialists and epidemiologists, calling on the expertise of co-investigators Stanley Azen, Ph.D., USC director of biometry and statistical consultation, Susan Preston-Martin, Ph.D., USC professor of preventive medicine, and Ronald Smith, M.D., USC professor and chair of ophthalmology. Local civic and church leaders will serve on a board of community advisors.
Noting that Latinos are expected to make up the largest ethnic minority
in the United States by 2010, Varma predicts that the study's results will
have implications far beyond Southern California.
Figuring out the most common threats to vision in the Latino community is
crucial for planning local, state and national eye care programs. "We
need to know what we're dealing with before we can create a plan of how
best to screen, prevent and care for this community," agrees Smith.
In a small pilot study, the team found that nearly half of 100 older Latinos had vision problems that kept them from performing some daily tasks. Yet, a majority had not had an eye exam in the last year. "This suggests that many are not receiving the eye care they need," Varma says.
Yearly eye exams may prove especially key for Latinos, who face a higher risk of developing diabetes than other ethnic groups. Nearly half of diabetics develop diabetic retinopathy, a disease of the blood vessels in the retina that can lead to vision loss and blindness if not treated. Regular eye exams can lead to early detection and treatment, and, thus, the preservation of eyesight. Two other major causes of vision loss and blindness-cataracts and glaucoma-have also been linked to diabetes.
Epidemiologist Preston-Martin thinks that providing more evidence about the link between diabetes and eye diseases is one of the most interesting goals of the study. Another is to assess how often Latinos visit an eye doctor and, if they don't, why not. "Loss of vision can be prevented. What we want to know is whether this segment has easy access to eye care or if there are barriers to receiving care," she says.
The study is also meant to establish a baseline of eye disease incidence, so researchers can track future trends in disease.
"This is probably one of the most important studies our department has ever done. It is also a sign of the confidence the National Eye Institute has in USC," Smith says.