Prevalence of Uncorrected Binocular Distance Visual Acuity in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Adults: Results from the HHANES and the NHANES I

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to provide a comparative analysis of American population-based prevalence of uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in Hispanics and non-Hispanics. Design The study design was a population-based survey. Participants Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1982 and 1984 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I from 1974 through 1975 were analyzed to investigate the epidemiology of uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in adults 25 to 74 years of age in Cuban Americans (N = 391), Mexican Americans (N = 1350), Puerto Ricans (N = 504), African Americans (N = 245), and nonHispanic white Americans (N = 2571). Main outcome measure Uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity in both eyes was assessed using Sloan letters or Landolt rings. Results Prevalence rates of 20/50 or worse uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity were 22%, 24%, 19%, 18%, and 32% for African Americans, Cuban Americans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and non-Hispanic whites, respectively. After adjustment for gender and age, the rates were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) for nonHispanic whites compared to each of the other ethnic groups. Significant increases in the prevalence of 20/50 or worse distance visual acuity were observed for increasing age groups (25–39, 40–59, and 60–74 years) within each gender-ethnic subgroup. Analysis of differences in prevalence by gender (controlling for age) indicated a slightly higher prevalence of 20/50 or worse distance visual acuity in women than in men (range of odds ratios, 1.1–2.1). Based on 1993 census population estimates in the United States, more than 42 million adults 25 to 74 years of age have an uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity of 20/50 or worse. Approximately 1.7 million of these adults are of Hispanic origin. Conclusion The prevalence of impaired uncorrected binocular distance visual acuity generally is lower in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites.