Genome-Wide Association Study of Ocular Sarcoidosis Confirms HLA Associations and Implicates Barrier Function and Autoimmunity in African Americans.

Purpose: Identify genes associated with ocular sarcoidosis (OS).Methods: We genotyped 1.1 million genetic variants to identify significant OS associations, defined as those that achieved p < 5 × 10-8 in a genome-wide comparison of OS cases to healthy controls in our European- or African-American cohorts (EA, AA). Potential functional roles of all associated variants were assessed.Results: Eight significant non-HLA variants were found in AA OS cases compared to healthy controls and confirmed as at least suggestive when comparing OS to non-OS cases. Seven of these were within MAGI1 and include transcription factor binding sites and expression quantitative trait loci. Our EA cohort, while showing similar effect sizes at variants within MAGI1, had no significant variants. Association analysis of HLA-DRB1 alleles confirmed association to OS in EA to *04:01.Conclusion: Our results support organ-specific genetic risk in OS in a compelling candidate, MAGI1, known to be associated with barrier function and autoimmunity.

Patterns and Determinants of Choroidal Thickness in a Multiethnic Asian Population: The Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study.

PURPOSE: To describe the distribution and determinants of choroidal thickness (CT) in participants in a population study based on spectral-domain (SD)-OCT measurements. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: Ethnic Chinese, Indian, and Malay adults aged more than 50 years without any retinal diseases (e.g., diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy) that might affect the CT were recruited from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study. METHODS: Choroidal imaging was performed by SD-OCT (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) in enhanced depth imaging (EDI) mode. Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured on the foveal line scan by 2 retinal experts independently (YS and KT), and the average was used in the analyses. In Chinese and Indian cohorts in whom macular raster scans were captured, the manufacturer-supplied research software (Heyex SP-X version 6.4.8.116; Heidelberg Engineering) was used to obtain automated segmentation yielding mean choroidal thickness in each of the 9 ETDRS grid sectors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subfoveal choroidal thickness and regional CT in the 9 ETDRS grid sectors. RESULTS: For the SFCT analysis, 2794 eyes of 1619 participants (Chinese, Indian, and Malay ) were included. The mean age was 60.9 years (standard deviation, 7.7), and 797 (49.2%) were male. Mean SFCT was 255.2 µm (standard deviation, 102.6). The normal range of SFCT was 106 to 447 µm (corresponding to 5th and 95th percentile limits of SFCT, respectively). In multivariable models, thinner SFCT was associated with older age, female gender, longer axial length, and Malay (vs. Chinese) ethnicity. In the subset of Chinese and Indian eyes (n = 1842) in whom regional variation was evaluated, the choroid was thickest at the superior and temporal sectors and thinner at the inferior and nasal sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Subfoveal choroidal thickness is influenced by age, gender, and ethnicity along with regional differences even within individual eyes. Subfoveal choroidal thickness also shows a wide range in physiologic limits. These data may be used as a reference in future studies.

Racial differences and determinants of macular thickness profiles in multiethnic Asian population: the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases Study.

AIM: To evaluate racial differences, and ocular and systemic determinants of macular thickness (MT), measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in a normal multiethnic Asian population. METHOD: MT was measured from a 6×6 mm2 central macular area using the Cirrus high-definition OCT (HD-OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). The associations between ocular and systemic factors with MT were evaluated using linear regression analyses with generalised estimating equation models to account for intereye correlation. RESULTS: 7447 healthy eyes (2577 Chinese, 2072 Malays and 2798 Indians) of 4510 subjects were included. Multivariable analysis showed that older age (per decade, ß=-4.39), female gender (ß=-5.74), diabetes (ß=-1.10), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (ß=-3.21), longer axial length (per mm, ß=-2.34), flatter corneal curvature (per mm, ß=-1.79) and presence of cataract (ß=-0.94) were associated with thinner overall average MT (OMT) (all p≤0.026); higher total cholesterol (ß=0.44; p=0.010) was associated with thicker OMT. All these factors were also associated with thinner central subfield MT (CSMT) (all p≤0.001), except for cataract, total cholesterol and CKD. Meanwhile, longer axial length (ß=2.51; p<0.001) was associated with thicker CSMT. OMT (mean±SD) was thickest in Chinese (279.9±12.5 µm), followed by Malays (276.5±13.7 µm) and Indians (272.4±13.1 µm), with p≤0.003 for all interethnic comparisons. Similar trend was observed for CSMT. CONCLUSION: There are interethnic differences in MT profile among Asians, particularly between Chinese and Indians. Ocular and systemic factors affect MT measurements as well. This Asian-specific information may be incorporated into existing clinical interpretation of macular OCT scans to aid in improving the diagnostic and monitoring accuracy of macular diseases among Asians.

Visual Impairment and Eye Disease Among Children of Migrant Farmworkers.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of reduced visual acuity and ocular disease in the children of migrant farmworkers in Georgia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of data acquired by a vision screening was performed on 156 Haitian and Hispanic children of migrant farmworkers attending a summer school in Georgia. Reduced visual acuity at presentation was analyzed and stratified by ethnicity, type of ocular disease, and immediate resolution with refractive correction. RESULTS: The authors found that 20% of migrant farmworker children have a high prevalence of reduced visual acuity in the worse eye. Of those with worse-eye reduced visual acuity, 83% had uncorrected refractive error. The prevalence of uncorrected refractive error from astigmatism and high astigmatism was significantly higher among Hispanics than Haitians. The prevalence of amblyopia suspects among migrant farmworker children was 3%. Of the amblyopia suspects, 80% were anisometropic. CONCLUSIONS: Children of migrant farmworkers in Georgia have a higher rate of reduced visual acuity, largely from uncorrected refractive error, when compared to other Hispanic and African American children in the United States with a prevalence more aligned to children in Asian and Latin American countries than school children in the United States. This illustrates the need for improved access to screening and care in this vulnerable population. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(1):28-34.].

Relationship between retinal vessel diameter with both retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and optic nerve head parameters in middle-aged Caucasians: the Northern Finland Birth Cohort Eye study.

PURPOSE: To study the normal relationship between retinal vessel diameter (RVD) with retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and optic nerve head (ONH) parameters in a cohort of middle-aged Caucasians. METHODS: We investigated 3070 individuals (6140 eyes). Central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) were measured in the right eye using a semi-automated computer-assisted program. Retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness and ONH parameters were assessed with Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT). RESULTS: Data from 2217 persons were analysed including RNFL, CRAE, CRVE, sex, body mass index, mean arterial pressure, diabetes status, smoking status, optic disc area, rim area, spherical refraction and intraocular pressure. A larger RVD was associated with a thicker mean global RNFL thickness especially in global and inferior segments of the retina and with larger optic discs. Each 10 µm increase in the retinal arteriolar calibre was associated with a 5.58 µm increase in mean global RNFL thickness; the corresponding value for a 10 µm increase in venular calibre was 3.79 µm (p < 0.001 for both). Retinal venular calibre displayed consistent associations with RNFL thickness in both genders (p < 0.001 for all), whereas the association of arteriolar calibre and RNFL was more prominent in men (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We found strong associations between larger RVD and thicker RNFL in all subjects. This study helps to clarify the association between RVD, RNFL thickness and ONH parameters and provides normal values for middle-aged Caucasians that will help in future studies investigating the role of vascular aetiology in systemic and eye diseases.

Association of LACC1, CEBPB-PTPN1, RIPK2 and ADO-EGR2 with ocular Behcet's disease in a Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: An Immunochip study recently identified the association of a number of new genetic loci with Behcet's disease (BD). OBJECTIVE: To confirm the association between new genetic loci reported in an Immunochip study and BD in a Han Chinese population. METHODS: A two-stage association study was carried out in 1238 patients with BD and 1458 healthy controls. Twenty-two candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for genotyping by iPLEXGold genotyping or TaqMan SNP assays and a meta-analysis was performed for significantly associated markers. RESULTS: The results showed that four SNPs (LACC1/rs9316059, CEBPB-PTPN1/rs913678, ADO-EGR2/rs224127 and RIPK2/rs10094579) were associated with BD in an allelic association test (rs9316059 T allele: pc=4.95×10-8, OR=0.687; rs913678 C allele: pc=3.01×10-4, OR=1.297; rs224127 A allele: pc=3.77×10-4, OR=1.274; rs10094579 A allele: pc=6.93×10-4, OR=1.302). For four SNPs tested by meta-analysis, the association with BD was strengthened and all exceeded genome-wide significance (rs9316059: p=2.96×10-16; rs913678: p=2.09×10-16; rs224127: p=5.28×10-13; rs10094579: p=9.21×10-11). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirmed the association of four loci (LACC1, CEBPB-PTPN1, ADO-EGR2 and RIPK2) in Chinese Han patients with BD.

The African American Eye Disease Study: Design and Methods.

PURPOSE: To describe the study design, operational and recruitment strategies, procedures, and baseline characteristics of the African American Eye Disease Study (AFEDS), a population-based assement of the prevalence of visual impairment, ocular disease, visual function, and health-related quality of life in African Americans. METHODS: This population-based, cross-sectional study included over 6000 African Americans 40 years and older residing in and around Inglewood, California. A detailed interview and eye examination was performed on each eligible participant. The interview included an assessment of demographic, behavioral, and ocular risk factors and health-related and vision-related quality of life. The eye examination included measurements of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, visual fields; fundus and optic disc photography; a detailed anterior and posterior segment examination; and measurements of blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin levels, and blood glucose levels. RESULTS: The AFEDS cohort includes more than 6000 participants that have completed a home questionnaire and a comprehensive eye examination. The majority of participants were female (63%), the average (± standard deviation) overall age was 60.9 (±11.3). Participants are mostly working (40%) or retired (41%), non-smoking (57%), partial drinking (54%), and with at least some college education (38%). A trust-development recruitment strategy was refined in order to overcome challenges in study participation. CONCLUSION: The AFEDS is the largest epidemiologic eye study among African Americans to date. The AFEDS cohort will provide information about the prevalence and risk factors of ocular disease in the largest ophthalmologic study population of African Americans in the United States.

Projection of Eye Disease Burden in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Singapore's ageing population is likely to see an increase in chronic eye conditions in the future. This study aimed to estimate the burden of eye diseases among resident Singaporeans stratified for age and ethnicity by 2040. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prevalence data on myopia, epiretinal membrane (ERM), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), age macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), cataract, glaucoma and refractive error (RE) by age cohorts and educational attainment from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) study were applied to population estimates from the Singapore population model. RESULTS: All eye conditions are projected to increase by 2040. Myopia and RE will remain the most prevalent condition, at 2.393 million (2.32 to 2.41 million) cases, representing a 58% increase from 2015. It is followed by cataract and ERM, with 1.33 million (1.31 to 1.35 million), representing an 81% increase, and 0.54 million (0.53 to 0.549 million) cases representing a 97% increase, respectively. Eye conditions that will see the greatest increase from 2015 to 2040 in the Chinese are: DR (112%), glaucoma (100%) and ERM (91.4%). For Malays, DR (154%), ERM (136%), and cataract (122%) cases are expected to increase the most while for Indians, ERM (112%), AMD (101%), and cataract (87%) are estimated to increase the most in the same period. CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the burden for all eye diseases is expected to increase significantly into the future, but at different rates. These projections can facilitate the planning efforts of both policymakers and healthcare providers in the development and provision of infrastructure and resources to adequately meet the eye care needs of the population. By stratifying for age and ethnicity, high risk groups may be identified and targeted interventions may be implemented.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Self-Rated Morbidities Among South Asian Migrant Gas Station Workers in Kuwait.

Gas station workers (GSWs) are at elevated risk of morbidities associated with exposure to petrochemical substances. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and examined demographics and occupation-related risk factors associated with self-rated ill-health among GSWs in Kuwait. Structured questionnaire was used to record self-rated ill-health from 460 selected GSWs of South-Asian origin. Prevalence of self-rated ill-health conditions was computed. Random-intercept multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the demographics and/or work-place related potential risk factors associated with one or more morbidities. Prevalent morbidities were eye(s) complaint (45.2%), asthma/shortness of breath (7.6%), frequent sneezing and allergic rhinitis (44.3%), recurrent headache (48.3%), dizziness (9.8%), tremors (42%), and eczema/skin complaint (44.1%). Furthermore, GSWs were significantly more likely to report one or more ill-health conditions (vs. none), if they were overweight/obese (aOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-2.9), married (aOR 2.6; 95% CI 1.5-4.5) or on current job for more than one year (aOR 6.4; 95% CI 2.9-15.4). In conclusion, GSWs suffer from ailments of multiple organ systems and need education and facilitation for self-protection.

Development and Validation of a Deep Learning System for Diabetic Retinopathy and Related Eye Diseases Using Retinal Images From Multiethnic Populations With Diabetes.

Importance: A deep learning system (DLS) is a machine learning technology with potential for screening diabetic retinopathy and related eye diseases. Objective: To evaluate the performance of a DLS in detecting referable diabetic retinopathy, vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, possible glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in community and clinic-based multiethnic populations with diabetes. Design, Setting, and Participants: Diagnostic performance of a DLS for diabetic retinopathy and related eye diseases was evaluated using 494 661 retinal images. A DLS was trained for detecting diabetic retinopathy (using 76 370 images), possible glaucoma (125 189 images), and AMD (72 610 images), and performance of DLS was evaluated for detecting diabetic retinopathy (using 112 648 images), possible glaucoma (71 896 images), and AMD (35 948 images). Training of the DLS was completed in May 2016, and validation of the DLS was completed in May 2017 for detection of referable diabetic retinopathy (moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy or worse) and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy or worse) using a primary validation data set in the Singapore National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Program and 10 multiethnic cohorts with diabetes. Exposures: Use of a deep learning system. Main Outcomes and Measures: Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and sensitivity and specificity of the DLS with professional graders (retinal specialists, general ophthalmologists, trained graders, or optometrists) as the reference standard. Results: In the primary validation dataset (n = 14 880 patients; 71 896 images; mean [SD] age, 60.2 [2.2] years; 54.6% men), the prevalence of referable diabetic retinopathy was 3.0%; vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, 0.6%; possible glaucoma, 0.1%; and AMD, 2.5%. The AUC of the DLS for referable diabetic retinopathy was 0.936 (95% CI, 0.925-0.943), sensitivity was 90.5% (95% CI, 87.3%-93.0%), and specificity was 91.6% (95% CI, 91.0%-92.2%). For vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy, AUC was 0.958 (95% CI, 0.956-0.961), sensitivity was 100% (95% CI, 94.1%-100.0%), and specificity was 91.1% (95% CI, 90.7%-91.4%). For possible glaucoma, AUC was 0.942 (95% CI, 0.929-0.954), sensitivity was 96.4% (95% CI, 81.7%-99.9%), and specificity was 87.2% (95% CI, 86.8%-87.5%). For AMD, AUC was 0.931 (95% CI, 0.928-0.935), sensitivity was 93.2% (95% CI, 91.1%-99.8%), and specificity was 88.7% (95% CI, 88.3%-89.0%). For referable diabetic retinopathy in the 10 additional datasets, AUC range was 0.889 to 0.983 (n = 40 752 images). Conclusions and Relevance: In this evaluation of retinal images from multiethnic cohorts of patients with diabetes, the DLS had high sensitivity and specificity for identifying diabetic retinopathy and related eye diseases. Further research is necessary to evaluate the applicability of the DLS in health care settings and the utility of the DLS to improve vision outcomes.

Frequency of ocular conditions in native Brazilians from Avaí City, São Paulo State / Frequência das alterações oculares na população indígena da cidade de Avaí, no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract Purpose: To perform an epidemiological study of eye diseases in the population of four indigenous communities in the City of Avai in the state of São Paulo - Brazil: Ekeruá, Kopenoti, Nimuendaju and Tereguá. Methods: This is a prospective, cross-sectional, population-based study performed by the Medical Residency Program of the Center of Excellence in Ophthalmology (CEO-Bauru), including all the inhabitants of four indigenous tribes, between the months of March and April 2016. All participants were submitted to a complete eye examination that included refraction test and best-corrected visual acuity, external ocular motility and strabismus, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), color vision test, slit lamp examination and a complete evaluation of the fundus. Results: From a total of 584 natives from four villages, 377 (64.55%) attended the project. 283 appointments were performed at CEO - Bauru and 94 evaluations in the health center of Kopenoti village using a mobile ophthalmology unit. 48.54% of the participants were male and 51.46% female. The mean age was 32.03 ± 21.45 years. Our study found prevalence of pterygium of 14.05%, cataract of 6.63%, glaucoma of 1.85% and diabetic retinopathy of 1.59%. These numbers are higher than found in other epidemiological studies. Regarding refractive errors, 36.99% presented astigmatism, 4.24% simple myopia and 8.35% simple hyperopia. Conclusion: These information are extremely important because they show higher rates of eye diseases in a needy and remote population of urban health centers, and in need of medical care. It is noteworthy that all patients from this study who presented refractive errors, received glasses with the corrected refractive lenses.

Resumo Objetivo: Fazer um estudo epidemiológico das afecções oculares da população de quatro aldeias indígenas da cidade de Avaí, no estado de São Paulo - Brasil: Ekeruá, Kopenoti, Nimuendaju e Tereguá. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, transversal realizado pelo serviço de residência médica da Clínica CEO-Bauru, em que foram incluídos todos os habitantes de quatro tribos indígenas, entre os meses de março a abril de 2016. Todos os participantes foram submetidos ao exame oftalmológico completo que incluía refração e medida da acuidade visual corrigida, avaliação da motilidade ocular extrínseca e estrabismo, aferição da pressão intraocular (PIO), teste de visão de cores, biomicroscopia e mapeamento de retina. Resultados: Do total de 584 índios das quatro aldeias, 377 (64,55%) compareceram participando do projeto. Foram realizadas 283 consultas na clínica CEO - Bauru e 94 consultas no posto de saúde da aldeia Kopenoti através do uso de uma unidade oftalmológica móvel. 48,54% dos participantes eram do sexo masculino e 51,46% do sexo feminino. A idade média foi de 32,03 ± 21,45 anos. Nosso trabalho encontrou prevalência de pterígio de 14.05%, catarata de 6.63%, glaucoma de 1,85% e retinopatia diabetic de 1,59%. Esses números são maiores do que os encontrados em outros estudos epidemiológicos. Em relação aos erros de refração, 36,99% apresentaram astigmatismo, 4,24% miopia simples e 8.35% hipermetropia simples. Conclusão: Essas informações são de extrema importância pois mostram maior índice de patologias oculares em uma população carente e afastada dos centros urbanos de saúde, e que necessitam de assistência médica. Vale ressaltar que todos os pacientes deste estudo que apresentaram erros de refração receberam os óculos com as lentes refrativas.

Singapore Indian Eye Study-2: methodology and impact of migration on systemic and eye outcomes.

IMPORTANCE: Asian Indians are the fastest growing migration groups in the world. Studies evaluating the impact of migration on disease outcomes in this population are rare. BACKGROUND: We describe the methodology of the Singapore Indian Eye Study-2 (SINDI-2) aimed to evaluate the impact of migration status on diabetic retinopathy and other major age-related eye diseases in Asian Indians living in an urban environment. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2200 adults had participated in baseline SINDI (2007-2009, mean age [range] = 57.8 [42.7-84.1] years) and SINDI-2 (2013-2015, 56.5 [48.4-90.2] years). METHODS: Participants were classified as 'first generation' if they were Indian residents born outside of Singapore and as 'second-generation' immigrants (59.7% in SINDI vs. 63.6% in SINDI-2) if they were born in Singapore. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Response rate, participant characteristics and prevalence of systemic diseases were stratified by migration status. RESULTS: Of the 2914 eligible SINDI participants invited to participate, 2200 participated in SINDI-2 (response rate of 75.2%). In both SINDI and SINDI-2, compared with first-generation immigrants, second-generation immigrants were younger, less likely to have income <1000 SGD, had lower levels of pulse pressure, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, had lower prevalence of hypertension and chronic kidney disease and had higher prevalence of current smoking and obesity (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In both SINDI and SINDI-2, second-generation immigrants had lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors except smoking and obesity compared with first-generation immigrants. The final report will confirm if these differences between generations are evident with regard to eye diseases.

The Prevalence of Self-Reported Stroke in the Australian National Eye Health Survey.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for self-reported stroke in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this national eye study, 1738 Indigenous Australians (41.1% male) aged 40-92 years and 3098 non-Indigenous Australians (46.4% male) aged 50-98 years from 30 randomly selected sites, stratified by remoteness, were recruited and examined. Sociodemographic information and a history of stroke, diabetes, and ocular health were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of self-reported stroke was 5.04% (156 of 3098, 95% confidence interval: 4.29%-5.87%) for non-Indigenous Australians and 8.75% (152 of 1738, 95% confidence interval: 7.46%-10.17%) for Indigenous Australians (P < .0001). The age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported stroke for non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians was 4.23% and 12.72%, respectively. The prevalence of stroke increased significantly with age for both Indigenous (odds ratio = 1.06 per year, P ≤ .001) and non-Indigenous Australians (odds ratio = 1.04 per year, P ≤ .001), with the Indigenous prevalence being higher than that of the non-Indigenous group at every age. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported stroke was 3 times higher in Indigenous Australians than in non-Indigenous Australians. This disparity is consistent with previous reports, highlighting the need for intensified prevention and support services to reduce the burden of stroke on Indigenous Australians.

Self-reported Use of Eye Care Among Adult Chinese Americans: The Chinese American Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To identify the prevalence and determinants of self-reported eye care use among Chinese Americans. DESIGN: Population-based, cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4582 Chinese Americans 50 years and older residing in Monterey Park, California. METHODS: Multivariable logistic regression analyses based on Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use were conducted to identify predisposing, enabling, and need variables associated with self-reported eye care use. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of self-reported use assessed as eye care visit in the past 12 months, dilated eye examination in the past 12 months, and ever having had a dilated examination, and odds ratios for factors associated with these measures. RESULTS: Overall, 36% of participants reported an eye care visit and 21% reported a dilated examination in the past 12 months. Forty-eight percent reported ever having had a dilated eye examination. Older age, female sex, preference for English, more education, health and vision insurance, a usual place for health care, currently driving, a greater number of comorbidities, and lower vision-specific quality-of-life (NEI VFQ-25) scores were associated with higher odds of reporting use of eye care. CONCLUSIONS: Use of eye care among Chinese Americans was found to be as low as what is reported for African Americans and Hispanics, and lower than what is reported for whites. Multiple modifiable factors are associated with use of eye care among the rapidly growing Chinese American population. Culturally sensitive interventions targeting these factors should be a priority. Further research is needed to investigate how findings from this group of Chinese Americans reflect other Asian Americans that are different in language and ethnicity.

HLA-B51 Carriers are Susceptible to Ocular Symptoms of Behçet Disease and the Association between the Two Becomes Stronger towards the East along the Silk Road: A Literature Survey.

PURPOSE: Behçet disease (BD) is predominantly found between East Asia and the Mediterranean basin along the historic Silk Road. HLA-B51 is known to be strongly associated with BD. We investigated the association between HLA-B51 and the ocular manifestations of BD among various ethnic groups. METHODS: A literature survey was conducted, and 18 articles written in English were reviewed. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between HLA-B51 and ocular lesions in the entire cohort discussed in the reviewed articles (OR = 1.76, p = 0.000057). HLA-B51 was shown to have a strong association with ocular manifestations of BD patients in East-Eurasian (OR = 2.40, p = 0.0030) and Middle-Eurasian (OR = 1.87, p = 0.0045), but not in West-Eurasian (OR = 1.28, p = 0.35) areas. This correlation seemed to become stronger towards the east. CONCLUSIONS: A meta-analysis showed that the correlation became stronger towards the east along the Silk Road. The study results may facilitate understanding of the etiology and characteristics of BD.

Eye Disease in Patients with Diabetes Screened with Telemedicine.

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine with nonmydriatic cameras can detect not only diabetic retinopathy but also other eye disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of eye diseases detected by telemedicine in a population with a high prevalence of minority and American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) ethnicities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We recruited diabetic patients 18 years and older and used telemedicine with nonmydriatic cameras to detect eye disease. Two trained readers graded the images for diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucomatous features, macular edema, and other eye disease using a standard protocol. We included both eyes for analysis and excluded images that were too poor to grade. RESULTS: We included 820 eyes from 424 patients with 72.3% nonwhite ethnicity and 50.3% AI/AN heritage. While 283/424 (66.7%) patients had normal eye images, 120/424 (28.3%) had one disease identified; 15/424 (3.5%) had two diseases; and 6/424 (1.4%) had three diseases in one or both eyes. After diabetic retinopathy (104/424, 24.5%), the most common eye diseases were glaucomatous features (44/424, 10.4%) and dry ARMD (24/424, 5.7%). Seventeen percent (72/424, 17.0%) showed eye disease other than diabetic retinopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine with nonmydriatic cameras detected diabetic retinopathy, as well as other visually significant eye disease. This suggests that a diabetic retinopathy screening program needs to detect and report other eye disease, including glaucoma and macular disease.