Abstract
The association between socio-economic position and morbidity and mortality has long been recognised. We evaluate the evidence for an association between multiple aspects of deprivation and ocular health in a global context. This is a systematic review of studies that evaluated deprivation in the adult population in the context of the major acquired causes of visual loss such as cataract, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and ocular trauma. The search strategy identified relevant studies reported between 1946 to August 2016, with randomized control trials, case control, cohort and cross-sectional study designs being selected for inclusion. The studies identified in this review from across the world demonstrate the extent to which common themes such as low educational attainment and low income may be associated with increased incidence of various sight-threatening conditions and may adversely affect access to specialist assessment and delivery of treatment. Health inequality may always persist, but an increased recognition of the importance of the various impacts of deprivation may empower policy makers to target limited resources to the most vulnerable groups in order to deliver the greatest benefit.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Survey of Ophthalmology |
Early online date | 1 Nov 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 1 Nov 2017 |
Keywords
- deprivation
- socioeconomic
- IMD
- global health
- social class
- poverty
- socioeconomic factors
- education
- income
- cataract
- glaucoma
- macular degeneration
- diabetic retinopathy and visual impairment