Abstract
Purpose :
This study investigates and updates the prevalence of glaucoma in Monroe County, highlighting the impact of this chronic disease on the local community. Understanding racial disparities in disease progression is crucial for targeted interventions and improved clinical management. The study addresses knowledge gaps by examining local glaucoma prevalence and comparing it to previously reported data. These findings may inform community care, reduce healthcare disparities, and enhance patient outcomes.
Methods :
The study employs a retrospective cohort design, analyzing electronic health records (EHRs) from the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) health system. The population includes individuals diagnosed with glaucoma between 2011-2021, identified through ICD9 and ICD10 codes (365.XX and H40.XX) at the Flaum Eye Institute. Demographic data, birthdates, and genders were extracted from EHRs for analysis, along with zip codes (14410-14694) to estimate glaucoma patients in Monroe County.
Results :
In the URMC health system, 5302 patients have glaucoma in their problem list, with 4480 residing in Monroe County, reflecting a 10.6% prevalence against the total dataset (41972). This aligns with previous papers, showing a stable prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Monroe County, ranging between 10.9% and 11.71% from 2014 to 2019.
Conclusions :
This study aims to compare and update how prevalence of glaucoma has changed in the region served by the University of Rochester. The prevalence of glaucoma in the region has remained stable compared to prior years. By addressing this knowledge gap, this research has the potential to inform clinical practice, advance community care approaches leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Community outreach by implementing glaucoma screening, improving education, and health literacy will lead to decreased health care disparity and more equitable treatment of this disease leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. The findings may facilitate the development of evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for diverse racial populations affected by this disease and decreasing the rate of blindness. Ultimately, this study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge aimed at achieving health equity and improving patient outcomes in the context of glaucoma.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.