Purpose: To assess and compare uncorrected binocular distance visual impairment rates in U.S. Hispanic children and adolescents.
Methods: Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1982-1984, were analyzed for 6-19 year-old Cuban-Americans (n = 317), Mexican-Americans (n = 2519), and Puerto Ricans (n = 988). Visual acuity was assessed using Sloan Letters or Landolt Rings.
Results: Prevalence rates of uncorrected binocular distance visual impairment (20/30 or worse) were 15.5%, 14.9%, and 23.6% for Cuban-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Puerto Ricans, respectively. After adjusting for age and gender, the differences between Puerto Ricans and both Cuban-Americans and Mexican-Americans were significant (p < 0.05). Children 6-12 years of age had lower visual impairment rates than 13-19 year-old adolescents. Girls had higher age-adjusted visual impairment rates than boys; these gender differences were statistically significant among Mexican-Americans (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.2) and Puerto Ricans (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2, 2.4).
Conclusions: Among Hispanics, Puerto Rican children and adolescents have the highest prevalence rate of uncorrected binocular distance visual impairment; older age and female gender are associated with higher rates of uncorrected visual impairment.