Race and Socioeconomic Status in Anti-VEGF Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema.

Background And Objective: Although people of low socioeconomic status (SES) and certain racial groups are at greater risk of developing diabetic macular edema (DME), the extent these high-risk groups experience treatment differences is unknown. This study characterizes anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injection use for DME.

Patients And Methods: Data were collected from an electronic health record at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation for patients who received anti-VEGF treatment for DME between 2012 and 2019 ( = 500).

Results: White patients on average received more injections over a 1-year period than Black patients (4.93 ± 3.14 vs 3.20 ± 2.43; < .0001) and had fewer no-show appointments (1.39 ± 2.08 vs 3.23 ± 3.39; < .0001). There is an association between living in communities with lower average incomes and receiving fewer anti-VEGF injections (3.06 ± 2.70 vs 4.88 ± 3.19; = .005).

Conclusions: DME treatment differs based on race and SES. Racial and SES associations with anti-VEGF injections present potential obstacles for delivering optimal ophthalmic care. .