National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 through October 15, recognizes the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans. It also provides an opportunity to discuss health disparities that deserve attention, including differences in eye disease, vision loss and access to eye care.
The National Eye Institute identifies diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma as particular concerns for Hispanic and Latino communities. Other research has documented a substantial burden of cataracts, uncorrected vision problems and certain childhood eye conditions. Understanding these findings can help patients recognize their risks and seek care before vision is affected.
For families throughout North Fulton and Forsyth counties, Hispanic Heritage Month is a meaningful time to review family eye-health history, stay current with diabetic eye examinations and address vision changes that may have gone unevaluated.
Understanding the Statistics: Heritage Is One Part of the Picture
Hispanic and Latino populations encompass people with different backgrounds, ancestries and health histories. A statistic from one community should not be treated as an exact estimate for every Hispanic or Latino patient.
Much of the foundational U.S. research comes from the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study, or LALES. Its initial findings, published in 2004, involved more than 6,300 Latino adults age 40 and older, primarily of Mexican ancestry. These results remain important, but they describe a particular population and time period – not the current prevalence of eye disease among all Hispanic Americans.
Individual risk also depends on age, diabetes, family history, environmental exposures and access to diagnosis and treatment. Population-level findings help guide awareness; an eye examination determines what an individual patient needs.
Diabetic Retinopathy: A Major Cause of Preventable Vision Loss
Diabetic retinopathy develops when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Early disease may have no symptoms. As it progresses, damaged vessels can leak, bleed or contribute to scarring and vision loss.
Research shows a disproportionate burden of severe diabetic eye disease among Hispanic patients. A study published in 2023 estimating U.S. prevalence in 2021 found that, among people with diabetes, the age- and sex-standardized prevalence of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was approximately 7.1% in Hispanic individuals, compared with 3.6% in White individuals. These are modeled estimates for people with diabetes, not percentages of the entire Hispanic population.
Earlier LALES findings also demonstrated the importance of continued monitoring. Over four years, 34% of participants with diabetes who were initially free of diabetic retinopathy developed it. Among those who already had retinopathy at the beginning of the study, 39% experienced progression.
A person can have diabetic retinopathy while still seeing clearly. Comprehensive dilated eye examinations allow an eye doctor to look for retinal changes before symptoms become obvious. The National Eye Institute recommends a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least annually for people with diabetes; some patients need more frequent follow-up. Managing blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol is also important.
Diabetic Macular Edema: When Retinal Leakage Affects Central Vision
Diabetic macular edema, or DME, is a complication of diabetic retinopathy. It occurs when damaged retinal blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the area responsible for sharp central vision. This swelling can cause blurred vision and interfere with detailed visual tasks.
In the original Los Angeles Latino Eye Study, more than 10% of participants with diabetes had macular edema. This finding applies to the study’s older, predominantly Mexican American population and should not be presented as a current national rate for all Hispanic patients.
Treatment depends on the location and severity of swelling and its effect on vision. Options may include medications injected into the eye, laser treatment or observation with close monitoring in selected patients. DME is one reason a diabetic eye examination evaluates retinal health rather than relying solely on how clearly a patient reads an eye chart.
Glaucoma: A Higher Burden and Frequent Undiagnosed Disease
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The most common form, open-angle glaucoma, often develops slowly and may not produce noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Treatment can help limit further damage, but glaucoma-related vision loss is irreversible.
LALES found open-angle glaucoma in approximately 4.7% of participants age 40 and older. Its prevalence was higher than reported in non-Hispanic White populations and comparable to rates reported in Black populations.
Detection is a significant concern. The National Eye Institute reports that almost eight in ten Hispanic and Latino people with glaucoma do not know they have it, highlighting the importance of examinations before symptoms appear.
A glaucoma evaluation considers more than eye pressure. Examination of the optic nerve, assessment of peripheral vision and additional testing when appropriate help determine whether disease is present. Family history should be discussed with the eye doctor because it can affect screening and follow-up recommendations.
Cataracts: Common, Treatable and Sometimes Left Unaddressed
A cataract is clouding of the eye’s natural lens. Symptoms can include blurry vision, faded colors, glare, halos around lights and difficulty seeing at night. Most cataracts develop with age, although diabetes, smoking, steroid use and previous eye injury can also increase risk.
The original LALES research found cataracts in approximately one in five participants age 40 and older. Subsequent NIH-supported research reported higher rates of developing cataracts among Latino participants than estimates from non-Hispanic White populations. These findings demonstrate a substantial burden, but cataracts are common across ethnic groups and are not unique to Hispanic patients.
Early symptoms may be managed with updated glasses and improved lighting. When cataracts interfere with daily activities, surgery can remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. An ophthalmologist can assess whether cataracts are responsible for symptoms and discuss when surgery may be appropriate.
Uncorrected Refractive Errors: Vision Problems That May Improve With Glasses
Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. They occur when the eye does not focus light properly, resulting in blurred vision. Glasses or contact lenses can correct many of these problems.
A LALES analysis published in 2008 found uncorrected refractive error in 15.1% of examined participants. The researchers identified a substantial unmet need for vision correction among the study’s predominantly Mexican American adults age 40 and older.
This is an important distinction: difficulty seeing does not always reflect irreversible eye disease. An examination can determine whether an updated prescription may help, whether another condition is present, or whether both need attention.
Childhood Astigmatism and Amblyopia
Eye-health awareness should begin in childhood. NIH-supported research involving nearly 10,000 children ages six months through six years found astigmatism in approximately 13% of Hispanic children, compared with 9% of African American children and 6% of non-Hispanic White children. These percentages reflect the study’s examination criteria and communities in Los Angeles County and Baltimore.
Significant uncorrected refractive errors can contribute to amblyopia, sometimes called “lazy eye,” in which vision does not develop normally. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because treatment generally works better in childhood.
One Los Angeles County study found amblyopia in 2.6% of Hispanic and Latino children ages 30 through 72 months, compared with 1.5% of African American children. However, a separate study of Head Start participants found similar amblyopia rates across the racial and ethnic groups examined. These differences reinforce that findings from one study should not be treated as a universal ranking of childhood risk.
Children should receive recommended vision screening, with a comprehensive examination when screening results or other concerns indicate a need.
Pterygium: An Eye-Surface Condition Associated With Sun Exposure
A pterygium is a tissue growth on the eye’s surface that can extend onto the cornea. It may require treatment or surgery when it threatens vision.
Proyecto VER, a population-based study of Latino adults age 40 and older in Tucson and Nogales, Arizona, found pterygium in approximately 16% of participants. Rates were higher in men than women. The researchers identified sunlight exposure as an important consideration in reducing risk. These findings describe that regional population; they do not establish a national Hispanic prevalence rate or prove that ancestry alone causes the condition.
Sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation help protect the eyes during outdoor activities. Appropriate safety eyewear is also important during work or activities that can cause eye injuries.
Macular Degeneration: Important, but Not a Documented Higher-Risk Condition Across the Board
Age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, affects the central vision needed for reading, recognizing faces and seeing fine details. It remains relevant to Hispanic and Latino patients, particularly as they age.
However, it would be inaccurate to describe advanced AMD as disproportionately common in Hispanic communities based on LALES. That study found advanced AMD in approximately 0.5% of participants, with rates lower than those reported in White populations. Early signs occurred at rates comparable to White populations.
Lower population-level prevalence does not eliminate individual risk. New central blurring or straight lines appearing wavy should be evaluated promptly.
Access to Eye Care Is Part of Protecting Vision
Disease statistics tell only part of the story. Timely examinations, access to corrective lenses and continued treatment influence whether an eye condition leads to lasting impairment.
According to the U.S. Office of Minority Health, 63.1% of Hispanic adults with diagnosed diabetes received an annual eye examination in 2023, compared with 66.0% of adults with diagnosed diabetes overall. These figures identify an opportunity to improve follow-through on recommended diabetic eye care.
Patients can ask their eye-care team to explain examination findings, clarify follow-up intervals and discuss barriers that may make treatment difficult. The National Eye Institute also offers Spanish-language eye-health education through its ¡Ojo con su visión! initiative.
Comprehensive Eye Care in Roswell and Cumming
North Fulton Eye Center and Cumming Eye Clinic provide comprehensive ophthalmology care for patients in Roswell, Cumming and surrounding communities, including Alpharetta. Care includes eye examinations, cataract evaluation and management of conditions such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to connect awareness with action: understand your family history, follow your recommended eye-exam schedule and have new vision concerns evaluated. Sudden vision loss, new flashes, a sudden increase in floaters or a curtain-like shadow requires immediate medical attention.
To schedule an appointment, call 770-475-0123.