By Veronica Salib

A press release by Mount Sinai Medical Center found that Black patients were six times more likely than white patients to have advanced vision loss after a glaucoma diagnosis.

July 29, 2022 – A study published in Translational Vision Science and Technology using data from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) found that following a glaucoma diagnosis, Black patients were six times more likely than White patients to experience progressive vision loss.

According to the CDC, “Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and even blindness.” Approximately 3 million people in the United States have glaucoma. Globally, it is one of the top leading causes of blindness.

The risk of developing glaucoma increases with age, comorbidities, and numerous other factors.

While there is no cure for glaucoma, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further disease progression and additional vision loss.

Based on information from the National Eye Institute, treatment for glaucoma can include medication, laser treatment, and surgery. All three interventional approaches aim to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent eye damage.

Using artificial intelligence algorithms, researchers in the study “break down visual field loss in new-onset glaucoma cases among United States-based population groups,” as stated in the Mount Sanai Press release.

While Black patients made up only 1.3% of the population in this investigation, their risk of developing early visual field loss was twice as much as white patients. Furthermore, they were six times as likely to develop advanced visual field loss……..

Read more: https://lifesciencesintelligence.com/news/vision-loss-after-glaucoma-diagnosis-is-more-likely-in-black-patients?eid=CXTEL000000597762&elqCampaignId=26880&utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&elqTrackId=223c0e6551aa48faa43b359347e28759&elq=fc44ceffabbc4876a524b11f1e570375&elqaid=27731&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=26880

Source: LifeSciences Intelligence

The post Vision Loss after Glaucoma Diagnosis Is More Likely in Black Patients appeared first on Macular Degeneration Association.