Black adults disproportionately affected as glaucoma reaches 4.22 million in the US

A University of Michigan led study finds regional and demographic disparities in glaucoma burden. Results find that 4.22 million U.S. adults had glaucoma in 2022, with 1.49 million living with vision impairment.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide that disproportionately affects ethnic minority groups in the United States. Current prevalence of the disease has remained largely unknown as no national estimates have been made in over a decade.

The study, “Prevalence of Glaucoma Among US Adults in 2022,” published in JAMA Ophthalmology, investigated the prevalence levels of adults in the U.S. and discovered substantial demographic and geographic disparities in glaucoma cases.

Results showed that 4.22 million U.S. adults were living with glaucoma in 2022, with a prevalence of 1.62% among those aged 18 and older. When narrowing the pool to 40 and older, the prevalence increased to 2.56%. Among the 4.22 million, 1.49 million were living with vision-affecting glaucoma, representing 0.57% of the adult U.S. population.

Demographic disparities were clear, with Black adults experiencing the highest glaucoma prevalence at 3.15%, compared to 1.42% among White adults. Hispanic adults and other ethnic groups were grouped together in the study due to data limitations, with an estimated prevalence of 1.56%. Glaucoma rates increased with age, with estimates of 7.75% of 80 and older being affected.

Geographic variations in glaucoma prevalence were also seen, ranging from 1.11% in Utah to 1.95% in Mississippi. Vision-affecting glaucoma ranged from 0.38% in Utah to 0.70% in Mississippi.

Data for the study came from multiple sources, including the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Medicare claims, IBM MarketScan insurance claims, and population-based eye disease studies. Researchers applied Bayesian meta-regression methods to estimate prevalence by age, race, and sex/gender at national, state, and county levels.

The findings provide updated estimates for the prevalence of glaucoma in the U.S. which could be used to help guide public health strategies and resource allocation, particularly for high-risk groups and regions.

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