Prevalence and etiologies of visual impairment in the Ottawa inner-city population

Theme: Global and public health ophthalmology
What: Global and public health ophthalmology
Part of: Public Health Ophthalmology: The Intersection between Eye Health and the Environment / Ophtalmologie de la santé publique: Santé publique L’intersection entre la santé oculaire et l’environnement
When: 6/2/2024, 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
Where: Room | Salle 714 B

Abstract

Purpose: The inner-city homeless population in Canada is four times more likely to developing visual impairment compared to the general Canadian population. Low vision can fuel the disparity in health equality as it is makes more difficult to seek medical care for example, traveling to clinic is more challenging and difficulty obtaining employment makes it harder to afford healthcare. The Homeless population in Ottawa has increased by 25% since 2014 to 2019 and continues to grow. Currently there is no epidemiological data on the prevalence of visual impairment in the Ottawa inner-city population. In this study, we aim to collect data and identify the burden of visual impairment and the type of eye disease for the inner-city population in Ottawa, Canada.           

Study design: Retrospective chart review

Methods: Retrospective data will be collected from charts of patients seen at the Ottawa Inner City Health (OICH) for ocular eye exam. At least 100 charts will be reviewed. Outcomes will report the percentage of different ocular diseases (e.g., refractive error, diabetic retinopathy, etc.) and patient demographics (e.g., age, gender, ethnicities, medical co-morbidities).

Results: Ninety-five patients have received eye care at the OICH over 18.5 months. Pathology includes refractive error (63% of patients), retina (25.4%, e.g. diabetic retinopathy), cataract (13.6%), glaucoma (13.7%), cornea (6.3%, e.g. scarring), ocular surface disease (3.2% e.g. blepharitis), neuro-ophthalmology (5.2% e.g. strabismus), and others (7.4% e.g. posterior capsule opacification, episcleritis). Thirty-two percent of the patients required referral for cataract surgery or assessment by an ophthalmology subspecialist.

Conclusions:  This will be the first study to provide epidemiological data on the prevalence of visual impairment in the Ottawa inner-city population. In the long run, this study will provide benefits for the inner-city population as it will help determine causes of ocular disease and if they can be preventable or easily reversed (e.g. providing refractive correction). Data form this study can be used to tailor specific outreach programs to help minimize ocular healthcare inequalities

Presenter(s)

Presenting Author: Hong-An Nguyen

Additional Author(s):

Pushpinder Kanda, University of Ottawa, Department of Ophthalmology

David Maberley, University of Ottawa, Department of Ophthalmology

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