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Adrienne J. Berman, MD, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University Of Illinois Chicago and School of Public Health, 1855 W Taylor Street M/C 648, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-996-6562, ABerman@uic.edu and Linda S. Forst, MD, MPH, MS, School of Public Health/Occupational and Evironmental Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 914 S. Wood Street, M/C 684, Chicago, IL 60612.
Purpose: An eye injury prevention study of migrant farm workers is ongoing at the UIC School of Public Health. However, little is known about the underlying ocular health of this population. Methods: Screening eye exams were done at the medical clinic used by the migrant farm workers and included distance visual acuity, motility, pupils, portable slit lamp, Schiotz tonometry, and fundus examinations. Exams were limited to patients and accompanying family members already scheduled for appointments at the clinic on the days the ophthalmologist was available since the workers had difficulty getting additional time off. An exception was made for diabetics who were overdue for fundus exams and a special effort was made to examine them. Results: A total of 14 people were screened. All were Hispanic aged 10-57; 9 were farm workers (8 male, 1 female) and 5 were family members (3 adult female, 1 female child, 1 male child). Blepharitis was seen in 9/14, uncorrected refractive error in 8/14, pingueculae in 7/14, pterygium in 3/14, chalazia in 2/14, and dry eyes in 2/14. One case each of amblyopia, herpes keratitis (s/p PKP), allergic conjunctivitis, elevated IOP, and enlarged cup-to-disk ratio were identified. Six diabetics were examined, and two patients (four eyes) with retinopathy were identified—one with known bilateral clinically significant macular edema (CSME), and one with newly diagnosed severe non-proliferative retinopathy with CSME bilaterally. Conclusions: While this is a very small, non-random pilot screening, the amount of pathology found was high. Further studies need to be carried out, particularly given the high prevalence of diabetes in this population and potentially high prevalence of diabetic retinopathy.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant should be able to
Keywords: Latinos, Vision Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.