Allison Karen, Patel Deepkumar, Besharim Caren
Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, USA.
Public Health, New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice, Valhalla, USA.
Cureus. 2021 Oct 12;13(10):e18710. doi: 10.7759/cureus.18710. eCollection 2021 Oct.
Glaucoma will increase in significance as a public health problem over the next three decades as the size of the aging US population grows more significant. Because glaucoma is more prevalent among African-Americans and Hispanics, and these groups will soon outnumber Caucasians. Therefore, it is even more imperative that a referral for screening protocol for high-risk groups be implemented as the standard of care. At least half of those with glaucoma do not know they have it, and the impact on the quality of life for those whose glaucoma progresses to visual impairment or blindness is significant. Without screening, glaucoma is likely to burden many families, particularly the underserved and society, unduly. Education for the public, those at increased risk, and their physicians about glaucoma, the importance of objective screening, and early treatment even for those with no symptoms will be critical toward the success of any screening protocol.
随着美国老年人口规模的增长变得更加显著，青光眼作为一个公共卫生问题在未来三十年的重要性将会增加。因为青光眼在非裔美国人和西班牙裔中更为普遍，而且这些群体的人数很快就会超过白种人。因此，作为护理标准实施针对高危群体的筛查方案转诊更为迫切。至少一半的青光眼患者并不知道自己患病，而青光眼进展为视力损害或失明对这些人生活质量的影响是巨大的。如果不进行筛查，青光眼很可能会给许多家庭，尤其是那些服务不足的家庭和社会带来过度负担。对公众、高危人群及其医生进行关于青光眼、客观筛查的重要性以及即使无症状者也需早期治疗的教育，对于任何筛查方案的成功都至关重要。
