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The prevalence of ocular disorders among Hispanic and Caucasian children screened by the UCLA mobile eye clinic

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed to describe the prevalence of ocular abnormalities among six and seven year old children of Hispanic and Caucasian ancestry in Los Angeles County. Data were obtained from vision screenings of lower to middle income Hispanic and Caucasian children completed by the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic at public neighborhood elementary schools and community centers between January and August of 1989, and January and March of 1990. Out of a total sample of 854 children, 64% were Hispanic; 36% were Caucasian; 51% were female and 49% were male. Ocular abnormalities observed were similar for both ethnic groups. Caucasians, however, showed non-significant, but consistently higher prevalences of most ocular abnormalities. Stronger associations between ethnicity and visual abnormalities were observed within the female subgroup. For example, hyperopia was found more commonly among female Caucasian children than among female Hispanic children (p<0.01). This information can be used in planning for the eye care needs of communities with Caucasian and Hispanic components.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jules Stein Eye Institute, 100 Stein Plaza, 90024, Los Angeles, CA

    David A. Lee M.D.

Authors
  1. Lori A. Fischbach M.P.H.
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  2. David A. Lee M.D.
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  3. Rita F. Englehardt Dr.P.H.
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  4. Noel Wheeler Ph.D.
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Additional information

Lori A. Fischbach, M.P.H. is a epidemiologist and consultant for the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic; David A. Lee, M.D. is an ophthalmologist and the Research Director for the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic; Rita F. Englehardt, Dr.P.H. is a statistician and consultant for the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic; Noel Wheeler, Ph.D. is Director of the UCLA Statistical/Biomathematical Consulting Clinic, all at The University of California at Los Angeles, California.

The authors would like to thank Suzanne Norman, Faye Oelrich, Charles G. Cullen, M.D., Marie Goldwhite and Anne Coulson for their contribution to this paper. This project was supported by the Uncle Claude Fund, Karl Kirchgessner Foundation, and NEI grant EY 00331.

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Fischbach, L.A., Lee, D.A., Englehardt, R.F. et al. The prevalence of ocular disorders among Hispanic and Caucasian children screened by the UCLA mobile eye clinic. J Community Health 18, 201–211 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01324431

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