Disparities in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Rates Within Minority Populations: Differences in Reported Screening Rates Among African American and Hispanic Patients

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening is essential for early detection and treatment of diabetes-related visual impairment and blindness. Yet, it is commonly underutilized among low-income minority patients (1,2). To examine perceived barriers to DR screening in these vulnerable populations, we collected survey data from 101 patients with diabetes, including 71 Hispanics and 27 African Americans (AAs), at a large safety-net clinic in South Los Angeles. Patients surveyed demonstrated typical characteristics for a safety-net population. Among patients surveyed, 50% reported <$10,000 in annual household income, 56% were unemployed, and 33% had a high school diploma/GED or above. The survey revealed that most patients were aware of DR as a potential complication of diabetes and more than 75% acknowledged that a physician had recommended DR screening, yet only 55% reported screening in the previous year, similar to previously reported rates in underserved populations (1). However, compared with Hispanic patients, AA patients were …