Ethnicity Increases Eye Disease Risk
While it may be widely known that the risk of vision loss increases with age, you may be less aware that one’s ancestry and ethnicity can play a significant role in increasing odds.
Researchers reporting in the journal Ophthalmology reported a link between African ancestry in Latino-Americans and increased intraocular pressure, a major risk factor for the eye disease glaucoma. This is one of the latest examples of a growing body of research showing that certain minority groups are at greater risk for serious eye conditions that can cause vision loss and blindness if left untreated. As a reminder, Americans of African, Latino and Asian heritage need to be aware of their increased risk for eye diseases. It is sharing information about eye disease among these ethnic groups to encourage people of these backgrounds to take early steps to protect their sight.
- Compared to Caucasian Americans, African- and Latino-Americans have a much higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts.
- Asian-Americans are at a significantly greater risk for developing angle-closure (acute or narrow-angle) glaucoma. While less common than open-angle glaucoma, if untreated it can still cause irreversible vision loss.
Many eye diseases may have no apparent symptoms in their early stages. Signs can remain hidden unless detected through a dilated eye exam. These exams are the best way to detect eye diseases so they can be treated early to help prevent vision loss.
If you or someone you know is of African, Latino and Asian ancestry and concerned about their risk of eye disease, please schedule and eye exam with eye doctors Matossian Eye Associates in Pennington, NJ at 609-882-8833, Hamilton, NJ at 609-890-0772 or Doylestown, PA at 215-230-9200, or visit Matossian Eye Associates or Facebook.
Matossian Eye Associates is a multispecialty eye care center staffed by a team of ophthalmologist & optometrist eye doctors and retina specialists, cataract specialists, glaucoma specialists & eye plastic surgery specialists with office locations in Two Capital Way, Suite 326, Pennington, NJ 08534-609-882-8833, 1445 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road, Suite 106, Hamilton, NJ 08619-609-890-0772, 501 Hyde Park, Route 202, Doylestown, PA 18902-215-230-9200, an affiliate of Prism Vision Group.
