Ophthalmic disorders among the homeless and nonhomeless in Los Angeles

Few studies have addressed ocular disorders among the homeless and nonhomeless poor.

To better understand the health problems of the homeless, ophthalmic disorders were analyzed among 512 homeless and 413 nonhomeless poor individuals receiving vision-screening examinations in Los Angeles.

Significantly, more 4- to 17-year-old nonhomeless poor were diagnosed with uncorrected visual acuity worse than or equal to 20/50 without correction (p = 0.001), total refractive errors (p < 0.0005), astigmatism (p = 0.001), and myopia (p < 0.0005) than were a control group of 4- to 17-year-old homeless individuals. More homeless individuals had extraocular muscle imbalance (p < 0.040), but fewer had external eye diseases (p2 = 0.016) than the nonhomeless poor, when age adjusted. In addition, higher rates of glaucoma and cataracts were observed in both homeless and poor nonhomeless populations than in the general population.

Health care professionals should provide vision screenings intended to detect these ocular disorders. Screening and correction of myopia and glaucoma, in particular, can greatly improve the quality of life for those treated.