Characteristics of urban Hispanic patients with diabetes presenting for eye care services

Studies have demonstrated the differential impact of diabetic complications among Hispanic patients. This study profiles 50 patients seen in an urban optometric setting and compares them with a hospital-based ophthalmology clinic in the same community.

A sample of 50 Hispanic patients with diabetes was selected. Descriptive statistics were calculated and compared with the literature.

Demographics show an equal split between genders, with a mean age of 52.7 years. Duration of diabetes ranged from 1 month to 22 years. Most patients had type II diabetes and were using oral hypoglycemics. Few had insurance coverage, with a wide range in time since last physical examination and last eye examination. Only 28% had an eye examination in the past year. The majority had good ocular outcomes.

Compared with published reports from the literature, the patients in this sample were more likely to be male, and were less likely to have insurance and more likely to be newly diagnosed with diabetes. Patients in this sample were more likely to use oral hypoglycemics, and ophthalmic surveillance was more appropriate. While they were more likely to have had a previous eye examination, they were also more likely to have a BVA of 20/40 or worse. This suggests that the patients seen in the optometric setting differ from those seen in the hospital-based clinic.