Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2024 Aug;11(4):2103-2108. doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01679-2. Epub 2023 Jun 20.
Glaucoma is an ophthalmic disorder that affects a significant number of Blacks globally. A leading cause of this condition is an age-related enlargement of the lens and increased intraocular pressure. Although Blacks are affected by glaucoma at a higher rate than their Caucasian counterparts, there remains a lack of emphasis placed on the detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of glaucoma in this population. Education regarding glaucoma in the African and African American populations is essential to reducing rates of glaucoma-related visual impairment and improving treatment success. In this article, we highlight specific issues and limitations to the management of glaucoma, which affects Blacks at a higher rate. In addition, we also review the backgrounds of Blacks globally and examine historical events that have contributed to financial inequality and wealth/health disparities affecting glaucoma management. Lastly, we suggest reparations and solutions that health care professionals can use to improve glaucoma screening and management.
青光眼是一种影响全球大量黑人群体的眼部疾病。这种疾病的一个主要原因是晶状体的年龄相关性增大和眼内压升高。尽管黑人患青光眼的比例高于白种人，但在这一人群中，对青光眼的检测、诊断、监测和治疗仍然缺乏重视。在非洲和非裔美国人中开展青光眼教育对于降低与青光眼相关的视力损害发生率和提高治疗成功率至关重要。在本文中，我们重点介绍了影响黑人群体更高的青光眼管理的具体问题和局限性。此外，我们还回顾了全球黑人的背景，并研究了导致影响青光眼管理的财务不平等和财富/健康差距的历史事件。最后，我们提出了医疗保健专业人员可以用来改善青光眼筛查和管理的赔偿和解决方案。
