Social determinants of health associated with blindness due to glaucoma in a Cuban eastern population

Authors

Keywords:

Glaucoma; Blindness; Visual disability; Social determinants of health.

Abstract

To work on the prevention of blindness due to glaucoma, the influence of social determinants on its evolution and prognosis must be taken into account. The aim of the research was to establish the association between social determinants of health and blindness due to glaucoma. An analytical case-control study was conducted in Las Tunas in 2024. The study group consisted of 114 patients with blindness due to glaucoma and the control group of 228 patients with glaucoma without blindness. The variables studied were: biological factors (age, sex, ethnicity, family history of glaucoma, concomitant systemic diseases), lifestyles, and economic situation. Absolute and relative frequency analysis was performed, and Chi-square and Fisher's exact test were used to establish the association between social determinants of health and blindness due to glaucoma. The social determinants of health influencing the occurrence of blindness due to glaucoma were: age over 50 years, family history of glaucoma, presence of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, failure to perform recommended eye care, history of exposure to occupational conditions with visual risk, non-adherence to treatment, irregularity in periodic ophthalmological check-ups, low educational level, and residence in rural areas. Socio-health strategies are needed to change the environment of the social determinants that influence the progression to blindness due to glaucoma, taking into account associated diseases such as arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus, as well as more favorable lifestyles.

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References

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Published

2026-04-09

How to Cite

1.
Suárez Estévez N, Fernández Argones L, Leyva León Ángela I, Concepción García MR, Castro Pérez M. Social determinants of health associated with blindness due to glaucoma in a Cuban eastern population. RM [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 9 [cited 2026 Apr. 12];30:e3323. Available from: https://revmultimed.sld.cu/index.php/mtm/article/view/3323

Issue

Section

ARTÍCULOS ORIGINALES