Identifying Risk Factors for Blindness From Glaucoma at First Presentation to a Tertiary Clinic

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, a crippling disability resulting in higher risks of chronic health conditions. To better understand disparities in blindness risk, we identified risk factors of blindness on first presentation to a glaucoma clinic using a large clinical database.

Retrospective cross-sectional study.

We used electronic health records of glaucoma patients from the Duke Ophthalmic Registry. International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify glaucoma and exclude concurrent diseases. Blindness classification was based on the definition of legal blindness. Risk factors included gender, race, marital status, age, intraocular pressure, diabetes history, income level, and education. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated for risk factors using univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Our cohort consisted of 3753 patients, with 192 (5%) blind on first presentation. In univariable models, African American / Black race (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.83-3.36), single marital status (1.74, 95% CI 1.25-2.44), prior diabetes diagnosis (2.23, 95% CI 1.52-3.27), and higher intraocular pressure (1.29 per 1 SD higher, 95% CI 1.13-1.46) were associated with increased risk of presenting blind, whereas higher annual income (0.75, 95% CI 0.65-0.86) and education (0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.85) were associated with lower risk. These associations remained significant and in the same direction in a multivariable model apart from income, which became insignificant.

Using a large real-world clinical database, we identified risk factors associated with presentation with blindness among glaucoma patients. Our results highlight disparities in health care outcomes and indicate the importance of targeted education to reduce disparities in blindness.