Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: The Guna Indians, an indigenous group in Panama, face significant health disparities.The prevalence of refractive error and vision impairment have not been studied in this population and compared to other demographic groups.Purpose: To assess the prevalence of refractive error, visual impairment, and blindness among the Guna Indians in the Guna Nega community of Panama City.Materials and methods: A quantitative descriptive study was performed involving 638 Guna Indians.Presenting Visual Acuity (PVA) was measured using standard logMAR charts.Refractive errors were assessed through static and subjective retinoscopy, with cycloplegic refraction applied to children under 18 years.Myopia was defined as a Spherical Equivalent (SE) refractive error of ≤ -0.50 D, hyperopia as SE ≥ 2 D, and astigmatism as a cylinder ≥ 1 D. Visual impairment and blindness were classified according to World Health Organization criteria.Results: The prevalence of myopia was (40.4%), hyperopia (5.9%), and astigmatism (36.6%).The prevalence of visual impairment was 41.1%, while blindness was observed in 2.5% of the population.Myopia was most prevalent in individuals aged 21 to 40 years, hyperopia in those aged 51 to 70 years, and astigmatism in both the 21 to 30 years and 61 to > 81 years age groups.The prevalences of the refractive errors did not differ among the sexes, but they were greater than the global rates.Conclusions: The prevalence of refractive error, visual impairment, and blindness among the Guna people exceeds that of the global population and represents the highest rates among indigenous groups in Latin America.
Authors: Héctor Santiago, Damaris Pagán, Nadiuska Platero, Juan Oliveros
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: OneSight
OpenAlex ID: W4402520767