Black Kids Are Missing From Pediatric Eye Disease Clinical Trials

Black children are often left out of pediatric eye disease trials, and it’s keeping them out of opportunities for treatment. What is Pediatric Eye Disease? Pediatric eye disease encompasses a range of conditions affecting children’s vision, including congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, amblyopia (lazy eye), and strabismus (crossed eyes).  These conditions can significantly impact a child’s development, affecting not only their vision but also their learning, social interactions, and overall quality of life. Almost 20 percent of children under the age of 18 have a diagnosed eye condition. Early detection and intervention are critical, as many of these diseases can lead to long-term visual impairment if left untreated. How Does it Affect Black Children vs. White children?  In a research study that focused on the prevalence of lazy eye (amblyopia) and cross-eyes (strabismus) in white and Black American children, researchers found that manifest strabismus occurred in 3.3 percent of white children compared to 21 percent of Black American children.  The study shows the prevalence of amblyopia was found to be less than 2 percent in both groups. These findings highlight significant disparities in the prevalence of strabismus, which may be influenced by genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. These differences underscore...