Previous research found a decline in vision impairment (VI) prevalence among US adults with diabetes mellitus (DM) from 1997-2010. However, from 2007-20to 2015-2018, there was a decrease in glycemic control in US adults with DM, potentially leading to a worsening of ocular complications that can result in VI. We examined 20-year trends (1999-2018) in VI prevalence among adults ≥18 years with diagnosed DM, using self-reported data from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey. Annual prevalence is presented as single years and a 3-year moving average, age-standardized to the 20U.S. Census. Trends were analyzed using Joinpoint regression with single years of data. Annual Percent Change (APC) is presented. Using the 3-year moving average, the prevalence of adults with DM who reported VI decreased from 21.5% in 1999 to 20.7% in 2018. This trend was not statistically significant (APC: -0.47; p=0.2) . However, Joinpoint regression found distinct trends, with VI prevalence decreasing significantly from 1999-2012 (APC: -1.93; p<0.001) followed by an inflection point at 2012, resulting in an increase in prevalence from 2012-2018 that was not statistically significant (APC: 2.86; p=0.1) . These results suggest that declines in VI among adults with DM seen in the first decade of the century may have plateaued in 2012. Future research could identify determinants, including glycemic management, vision screening, and healthcare utilization.
E.A.Lundeen: None. M.Kim: None. J.R.Ehrlich: Consultant; MetLife.
