Prevalence of Vision-Threatening Ocular Disease Among North Carolina Veterans

Prevalence studies on ocular diseases among veterans are limited and underreported. In this retrospective study, we examined the prevalence of vision-threatening ocular diseases among North Carolina veterans. We assessed the prevalence of 6 serious ocular conditions among veterans receiving primary care at the Salisbury Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SVAHCS) in North Carolina to better understand ocular disease prevalence among veterans. Glaucoma, the most common ocular disease in this population, underscores the need for targeted interventions to mitigate vision loss.

A retrospective review of medical records from 34,530 veterans enrolled in SVAHCS primary care was conducted. Data collected included demographics such as age, gender, and race. The study focused on 6 vision-threatening diseases: glaucoma, vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR), exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal vein occlusions (RVO), retinal artery occlusions (RAO), and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Structured Query Language extracted disease frequency, and statistical analysis revealed prevalence rates and socio-demographic patterns.

The average age of veterans was 69.5 years, with 94% male and 66% White. The most prevalent ocular condition was glaucoma (9%), followed by VTDR (1.3%), exudative AMD (0.9%), RVO (0.8%), RAO (0.4%), and NAION (0.4%). Older male veterans had a disproportionate burden of most ocular conditions. Racial disparities in disease prevalence highlight areas for focused healthcare strategies.

This study reveals the significant burden of vision-threatening ocular diseases among North Carolina veterans, with glaucoma being the most prevalent. The findings emphasize the need for targeted screening and personalized interventions to prevent vision loss and address disparities. Further research should explore systemic and behavioral contributors to these trends, guiding evidence-based strategies to improve veterans' ocular health outcomes.