Visual Characteristics and Social Determinants of Health in Hispanics Attending Senior Centers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to understand the visual and medical characteristics and their associated social determinants of health in Hispanic older adults in Puerto Rico attending senior centers. It provides essential information on visual impairment and factors that can contribute to older adults’ well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional study of individuals attending 16 senior centers in the island’s metropolitan area was performed. Information on demographic, medical, visual, and social determinants was gathered. On-site visual screening, including visual acuity and refraction, was performed. Visual impairment was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/40 (>0.30 logMAR) in the better-seeing eye. Results: A total of 304 participants were included. The mean age was 72.9 ± 9.1 years, with 37.8% being male and 62.2% female. Most of the participants lived alone, had not completed 12th grade, and lived below the poverty line. The average number of chronic conditions was 3.04 ± 1.78. Participants used an average of 4.07 ± 3.1 prescribed medications and 1.16 ± 1.45 over-the-counter. The mean presenting uncorrected visual acuity was 0.5 ± 0.46 logMAR, and the best corrected visual acuity was 0.26 ± 0.44 logMAR. The mean difference in best-corrected visual acuity showed a significant improvement of 0.03 ± 0.32 logMAR. Of the participants, 29.9% had visual impairment, with cataracts the most common self-reported cause (16.5%).
Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for interventions and prevention to reduce visual impairment in Puerto Rico’s older population. Comprehensive healthcare for the elderly is critical to improving the island’s overall health outcomes.