vision

1. PREDICTORS AND
CORRELATES OF VISION
HEALTH IN THE UNITED
STATES
Noushin Ahmed, Research Mentor: Dr. Deodutta Roy
Florida International University Honors College, Miami
Florida.

2. Blindness and Vision Impairment
3.3 million Americans aged forty and older
 Costs the federal government more than $4 billion
 The leading causes of impairment and blindness
in the United States are age related diseases:

 Age-related
Macular Degeneration
 Cataracts
 Glaucoma
 Diabetic

Retinopathy
Centers for Disease Control: “a substantial
human and economic toll on individuals and
society including significant suffering, disability,
loss of production, and diminished quality of life
for millions of people.”

3. Diabetic Retinopathy
The leading cause of
blindness in working–
aged persons in the
United States.
 Over 4 million
Americans have
diabetic retinopathy.
(CDC)
 Common complication
of diabetes.
 Anyone with diabetes
is susceptible.


4. Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy






Microaneurisms and Retinal
hemorrhages
“Cotton wool” spots, capillary
changes, arteriovenous
shunts, and
neovascularization
It leads to damage to the blood
vessels of the retina causing
severe vision impairment.
The vessels break or leak or
become blocked, impairing
vision over time.
Serious damage when
abnormal new blood vessels
grow on the surface of the
retina.
This may result in vitreous
hemorrhage, fibrosis, and
fractional retinal detachment.

5. RESEARCH
Purpose

Examine factors
related to vision
problems
corresponding to
Diabetic Retinopathy
and their preventive
correlates.
Methods

The National Health and
Nutrition Examination
Survey (NHANES) is utilized
to examine such factors.

The responses and tests of
4,131 individuals aged 30
years and over were
examined.
85.4% No Diabetes
 1.6% Borderline Diabetes
with no Retinopathy
 10.1% Diabetes and no
Retinopathy
 2.9% Diabetic Retinopathy


6. Factors Contributing to Diabetic
Retinopathy
Socioeconomic
Characteristics
Age Group
 Race/Ethnicity
 Education Level
 Income Group
 Poverty Income Ratio

Clinical Indicators
Vision Condition
 Maintenance of
Diabetes
 Fasting Blood Glucose
Level
 Body Mass Index


7. As age
increased, the
percentages
within the age
groups with
diabetes and
diabetic
retinopathy
increased. The
highest
percentages of
individuals are
within the 60 to
69.9 age group.

8. Race/Ethnicity
was a factor as
well, with
higher
percentages of
diabetes among
Non-Hispanic
Black and
Hispanics (12.5
and 12.8,
respectively).

9. Those with less
education had a much
higher rate of
diabetes and diabetic
retinopathy. 13.9%
of participants with
less than a high
school education had
diabetes with no
retinopathy, while
4.8% had diabetic
retinopathy, the
highest than any
other education level.
Having an education
less than the twelfth
grade could account
for less understanding
about healthy
lifestyles.

10. As the income
groups
increased, the
percentage of
diabetic
retinopathy and
diabetes
decreased.

11. The Poverty Income
Ratio (PIR) drew a
line between those
who were living in
poverty (PIR ≤ to 1)
and those were not
(PIR > 1). 13.9% of
people living in
poverty had diabetes
with no retinopathy,
while 5.1% had
diabetic retinopathy.
This could
contribute to lack of
access to a health
services.

12. Diabetes also
affected the
general condition
of eyesight as
17.9% with very
poor vision had
diabetic
retinopathy.

13. Maintenance of
diabetes through diet,
insulin, and
medication indicated
a lower prevalence of
diabetic retinopathy.
Those who had
diabetes with no
retinopathy managed
their diabetes better
than those who had
diabetes and
retinopathy leading to
the conclusion that
glucose levels affect
the eyes’ ability to
perceive.

14. This was
confirmed by
comparing the
average fasting
blood glucose
levels with
different diabetes
statuses. Higher
blood glucose
levels were
directly related to
poorer health.

15. Comparing Body
Mass Index, those
who are obese are
more likely to
have diabetes and
retinopathy.

16. CONCLUSION
Understanding the correlates of diabetic retinopathy will
allow program planners to correctly assess different
groups of people corresponding to race/ethnicity,
income, and education
 Make the appropriate suggestions to them regarding
lifestyles choices.
 Education Programs will better assist those in need by
correctly assessing the patient population.
 Furthermore, it will allow the individual to understand
and make lifestyle changes that will ensure healthy
vision.


17. REFERENCES
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