The leading cause of vision loss in persons age 65+ is macular disease (MD). Research has established prevalence of the disease in several populations, but no data exist on prevalence or incidence in Kansas. Information on incidence is useful for planning studies of etiology and developing public health strategies for reducing the burden of MD. An estimated incidence rate can be obtained indirectly using existing prevalence data and expected duration of the disease. Prevalence data from the Wisconsin Beaver Dam Eye Study were chosen for estimating incidence of MD in Kansas. Kansas resembles Wisconsin by age, ethnicity, and rurality. Incidence rates were calculated by age groups and by stages (early and late) of the disease for six geographic regions. These rates were then applied to the 1990 population to determine the number of incident cases per region and statewide. Incidence rates, both crude and age-adjusted, and standardized incidence ratios were also calculated for each county and region. Total incident cases of MD for the state are 12,874. Crude age-specific incidence rates per 1000 persons vary from a high of 9.0 for the northcentral region to a low of 2.8 for the northeast region. Age-adjusted rates are 7.2 and 2.4, respectively. Only two of the six regions have counties with standardized ratios below 1.00. All counties in the northcentral region have incidence ratios over 2.00. The results of this study document the need for providing low-vision services to elderly residents in rural underserved regions of Kansas.
Learning Objectives: 1. To identify the number of estimated incident cases of macular disease in Kansas. 2. To explain the effect of age on the distribution of incidence rates by geographic region. 3. To articulate the implications of this study for vision care services in Kansas.
Keywords: Vision Care, Aging
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Not application
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.