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Socio-economic status in families affected by childhood cataract
Moug Al-Bakri1, Daniella Bach-Holm1,2, Dorte Ancher Larsen3
1Department of Ophthalmology, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, Glostrup, Denmark.
Insights
Families with childhood cataracts have lower socioeconomic status and education before diagnosis. The diagnosis does not worsen these disparities, but these factors should guide family management.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood cataract is a significant cause of visual impairment in children.
- Understanding the socioeconomic factors associated with childhood cataract is crucial for effective management and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the socioeconomic status (SES) of families affected by childhood cataract.
- To assess if cataract diagnosis impacts the family's SES.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study comparing children with cataract (N=485) to a matched control group without cataract (N=4358).
- Data collected on parental income, employment, education, marital status, and family structure.
- Children diagnosed between 2000-2017, aged 0-10 years, at Rigshospitalet or Aarhus University Hospital.
Main Results:
- Parents of children with cataract exhibited lower income, higher unemployment rates, and lower educational attainment prior to diagnosis.
- These socioeconomic disparities were not exacerbated by the cataract diagnosis.
- Children with cataract were more likely to reside in multi-family dwellings and have more siblings.
Conclusions:
- Families with childhood cataracts present with lower SES and educational backgrounds pre-diagnosis.
- Cataract diagnosis does not widen the socioeconomic gap compared to the general population.
- SES and parental education are important considerations in the clinical management of families affected by childhood cataract.
Purpose:
To investigate the socio-economic status of families affected by childhood cataract and to assess how the socio-economic status is affected by cataract diagnosis.
Materials And Methods:
Children born between 2000 and 2017, seen between the age 0 and 10 years in the same period at Rigshospitalet or Aarhus University Hospital for cataract (N = 485), were included and compared to a matched children group without cataract (N = 4358). Socio-economic status was evaluated by the parents' income, employment, education, marital status and family structure.
Results:
Parents of children with cataract were more likely to have a low yearly income (OR = 1.60, 95% CI (1.12-2.27)), be out of work (OR = 1.74, 95% CI (1.34-2.26)) and have basic education as the highest attained education (OR = 1.64, 95% CI (1.27-2.13)) prior to diagnosis. This social gradient was not affected by the diagnosis. In addition, a higher number of children with cataract lived in multi-family residencies (13.8% versus 8% in group of children without cataract) and they had a greater number of siblings (6.2% had ≥4 siblings versus 2.1% in group of children without cataract).
Conclusion:
Families affected by childhood cataract have a lower socio-economic status and educational background even before cataract is diagnosed but the diagnosis does not aggravate the differences between these families and the background population. The lower socio-economic status and parental educational background should be taken into consideration in the management of these families.
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