Parental Keratoconus Literacy: A Socioeconomic Perspective.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition affecting children.
• Parental understanding of keratoconus (keratoconus literacy) may influence disease management and outcomes.
• Socioeconomic status (SES) can impact health literacy and access to care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between parental socioeconomic status and keratoconus literacy.
• To assess the influence of parental keratoconus literacy and socioeconomic factors on pediatric eye rubbing and keratoconus severity.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods study including retrospective chart review and telephone surveys.
• Pediatric keratoconus patients (age ≤ 18) and their parents were included.
• Data collected included sociodemographic information, clinical characteristics, parental keratoconus literacy, eye rubbing habits, and counseling receipt.

Main Results:

• Lower parental keratoconus literacy was observed among parents with lower education, limited English proficiency, lower income, and Medicaid insurance.
• Parental keratoconus literacy did not correlate with keratoconus severity.
• Higher education, limited English proficiency, lower income, and Medicaid insurance were significantly correlated with steeper keratometry readings.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to examine keratoconus literacy through a socioeconomic lens.
• Socioeconomically marginalized parents tend to have lower keratoconus literacy.
• Children of parents with lower socioeconomic status may experience more severe keratoconus, indicating a potential health disparity.