The prevalence of ocular disorders among Hispanic and Caucasian children screened by the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic.

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.