Diabetes Mellitus and Visual Impairment

Abstract

To examine the prevalence and correlates of visual impairment (VI) among US adults with and without diabetes mellitus.Methods: Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted during 1999-2004, we estimated the prevalence of presenting (correctable or uncorrectable), correctable, and uncorrectable VI among Americans 20 years or older with and without diabetes. Data were weighted to make estimates representative of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population. We used multivariate logistic regression to calculate odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.Results: Approximately 11.0% of US adults with diabetes had some form of VI (3.8% uncorrectable and 7.2% correctable). Among those without diabetes, 5.9% had some form of VI (1.4% uncorrectable and 4.5% correctable). People with diabetes were more likely to have uncorrectable VI than those without diabetes, even after controlling for selected other factors (PϽ.05). Our findings also suggest a strong association between VI (correctable and uncorrectable) and older age, member of racial/ ethnic minorities, lower income, and lack of health insurance, all independent of diabetes status (P Ͻ.05).Conclusions: Vision loss is more common in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes. Diverse public health strategies are needed to reduce the burden of both correctable and uncorrectable VI.

Prevalence of visual impairment and associated risk factors in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus: Sankara Nethralaya diabetic retinopathy epidemiology and molecular genetics study (SN-DREAMS, report 16)

“…This increase will likely result in increased visual morbidity. The important causes of blindness in subjects with diabetes includes cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors 4. The National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in the USA reported that VI was more common in diabetics than in non-diabetics 4.…”

“…The important causes of blindness in subjects with diabetes includes cataract, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors 4. The National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted in the USA reported that VI was more common in diabetics than in non-diabetics 4. The survey reported that approximately 11% of US adults with diabetes had some form of VI (7.2% correctable and 3.8% uncorrectable).…”

Prevalência de diabetes mellitus e identificação de fatores associados em adultos residentes em área urbana de Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil, 2006: Projeto OBEDIARP

“…Zhang et al 12 18 e as razões cintura/quadril e cintura/ altura, classificadas segundo os pontos de corte correspondentes aos tercis da distribuição.…”

Association of Socioeconomic Position With Sensory Impairment Among US Working-Aged Adults

“…22–27 Persons with low SEP lack the knowledge and resources necessary to protect themselves against the onset and progression of sensory impairment. 28 They are more likely to develop diseases related to vision impairment 29 or hearing impairment 5,30 and to live and work in noisy environments. 22 They are also less likely to seek eye care and to be aware of the need for such care and more likely to report lack of eye care insurance coverage and cost as barriers to seeking care.…”