Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma among Black and Latinx Populations: Exploring Racial Disparities in the United States.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. It disproportionately affects Black and Latinx populations. Among Black people, the disease is associated with an earlier onset, faster progression, and significantly higher rates of bilateral blindness. Latinx individuals also face higher prevalence and frequent underdiagnosis compared to non-Hispanic White individuals. Racial and ethnic differences in treatment response, ranging from medication efficacy to surgical outcomes, further contribute to these disparities. These disparities can be attributed to a complex combination of genetic susceptibility, limited access to care, delayed diagnosis and systemic inequities. Landmark epidemiological studies, including the Baltimore Eye Survey, Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES), and the Primary Open-Angle African-American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study, have provided critical insights into these disparities. However, progress in narrowing these gaps has been limited. This review evaluates current evidence on the epidemiological, clinical, genetic, and social determinants of POAG disparities among these populations and underscores the urgent need for targeted screening, culturally competent care, inclusive research, and sustained public health interventions. To perform this review we used relevant peer-reviewed studies identified through targeted searches of major medical databases and organized them thematically by epidemiology, clinical presentation, genetics, treatment outcomes, and healthcare access.