Glaucoma Spectrum Findings Among the Yanomami Indigenous People of the Brazilian Amazon

Glaucoma Spectrum Findings Among the Yanomami Indigenous People of the Brazilian Amazon | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Glaucoma Spectrum Findings Among the Yanomami Indigenous People of the Brazilian Amazon Maria Christina Chagas Ferreira, Marcos Antonio Pellegrini, Bianca Jorge Sequeira, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9564255/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose This study provides the first systematic characterisation of IOP, optic disc C/D ratio, and fundoscopic findings in the Yanomami, one of the largest and most geographically isolated Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, and identifies findings suggestive of glaucoma. Methods Cross-sectional observational study conducted June–August 2024 at the Yanomami Indigenous Health House (CASAI-Y), Boa Vista, Brazil. One hundred fifty-eight self-identified Yanomami individuals aged ≥5 years were examined. Non-contact tonometry (Huvitz HNT-7000), portable non-mydriatic fundus photography (Eyer), portable slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and direct ophthalmoscopy were performed. C/D ratio was graded by fundus photographic review. Associations were assessed by OR with 95% CI, Student t test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman rank correlation. Results Among 151 participants with assessable IOP (secondary glaucoma case excluded from descriptive analysis), mean IOP was 13.64 mmHg (SD 1.59) OD and 13.86 mmHg (SD 1.96) OS; ocular hypertension was identified in 2 participants (1.3%). Mean C/D ratio was 0.260 (SD 0.129) OD and 0.267 (SD 0.138) OS among 148 participants; 3 (2.03%) had C/D >0.5 in at least one eye. No significant IOP–C/D correlation was found (Pearson r = 0.11; P = .18). Secondary angle-closure glaucoma was confirmed in one participant (IOP 35/55 mmHg, 360° synechiae, no light perception). Two further participants had findings suggestive of primary glaucoma. Ocular trauma was associated with fundoscopic abnormality (OR 7.96; 95% CI 1.61–39.49; P = .02) and retinal cicatricial lesions (OR 13.41; 95% CI 2.55–70.35; P = .002). No diabetic retinopathy was identified. Conclusions This study provides the first quantitative ophthalmic baseline for the Yanomami regarding IOP, optic disc morphology, and fundoscopic findings. Primary open-angle glaucoma does not appear to constitute a relevant burden. Secondary glaucoma from complicated cataract is the most preventable severe presentation. Angle-closure glaucoma remains uncharacterised. Cataract surgical access, camerular angle screening, and glaucoma investigation are unmet priorities in this population. Yanomami glaucoma intraocular pressure cup-to-disc ratio fundoscopy Indigenous health underserved populations Amazon Brazil Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewers invited by journal 15 May, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 30 Apr, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 30 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 29 Apr, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9564255","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":635023411,"identity":"f492ad78-a9fa-49f3-a76a-f0e241f7dae7","order_by":0,"name":"Maria Christina Chagas Ferreira","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABEklEQVRIie3QMUsDMRTA8Xc8OJdA1lda/AwRh2uh6FfJUbjJunTRpQQcXNS5UNCvoEunDu84sEs+QAcRi3CTg13kOmlOREGud2uH/IeQDD/yEgCfbxcjAP5eIXgpzwIAGc7cTtUSXRJUPyTUYBsIgIZfUipVS+T0epVuiu6pNBi8ns/7nejSflA6f4aozdWXPC1UJjSNiBEPbJ6Ijh3OiPMR9G50JVGUQObeEhuWjy3DmSAYztrvrEHZ6sFKkhaO3DHubQx/CpJvOXEDYTdYfM8YBoZZEJ2EtYSWbjCRUPyQIbrBBo7kh11HRO9qy49NElwX/XF8u7gI1oaPjkkOVktH9iNRTf7Cf+dG4PP5fL7tfQG7W1u451aWxgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"PROCISA, Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR)","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Maria","middleName":"Christina Chagas","lastName":"Ferreira","suffix":""},{"id":635023413,"identity":"c8268d3f-6b63-4435-b7bf-633a2174af0f","order_by":1,"name":"Marcos Antonio Pellegrini","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFRR","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marcos","middleName":"Antonio","lastName":"Pellegrini","suffix":""},{"id":635023416,"identity":"400ef360-6e41-4683-95b5-a57442a994a9","order_by":2,"name":"Bianca Jorge Sequeira","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"UFRR","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Bianca","middleName":"Jorge","lastName":"Sequeira","suffix":""},{"id":635023417,"identity":"b52af85c-a776-431b-b947-27d791b409f5","order_by":3,"name":"Louise C. 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One hundred fifty-eight self-identified Yanomami individuals aged ≥5 years were examined. Non-contact tonometry (Huvitz HNT-7000), portable non-mydriatic fundus photography (Eyer), portable slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and direct ophthalmoscopy were performed. C/D ratio was graded by fundus photographic review. Associations were assessed by OR with 95% CI, Student t test, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman rank correlation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eResults\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026nbsp;Among 151 participants with assessable IOP (secondary glaucoma case excluded from descriptive analysis), mean IOP was 13.64 mmHg (SD 1.59) OD and 13.86 mmHg (SD 1.96) OS; ocular hypertension was identified in 2 participants (1.3%). Mean C/D ratio was 0.260 (SD 0.129) OD and 0.267 (SD 0.138) OS among 148 participants; 3 (2.03%) had C/D \u0026gt;0.5 in at least one eye. No significant IOP–C/D correlation was found (Pearson r = 0.11; P = .18). Secondary angle-closure glaucoma was confirmed in one participant (IOP 35/55 mmHg, 360° synechiae, no light perception). Two further participants had findings suggestive of primary glaucoma. Ocular trauma was associated with fundoscopic abnormality (OR 7.96; 95% CI 1.61–39.49; P = .02) and retinal cicatricial lesions (OR 13.41; 95% CI 2.55–70.35; P = .002). No diabetic retinopathy was identified.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConclusions\u003c/strong\u003e \u0026nbsp;This study provides the first quantitative ophthalmic baseline for the Yanomami regarding IOP, optic disc morphology, and fundoscopic findings. Primary open-angle glaucoma does not appear to constitute a relevant burden. Secondary glaucoma from complicated cataract is the most preventable severe presentation. Angle-closure glaucoma remains uncharacterised. Cataract surgical access, camerular angle screening, and glaucoma investigation are unmet priorities in this population.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Glaucoma Spectrum Findings Among the Yanomami Indigenous People of the Brazilian Amazon","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-05-12 10:25:25","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9564255/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-05-15T20:59:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-30T14:16:56+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-04-30T14:15:59+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"International Ophthalmology","date":"2026-04-29T10:12:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-ophthalmology","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"inte","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Ophthalmology](https://www.springer.com/journal/10792)","snPcode":"10792","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/10792/3","title":"International Ophthalmology","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"91ba15d9-3401-4d62-8cc5-804449ef4d84","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 12th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"13","date":"2026-05-15T20:59:09+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-30T14:16:56+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-04-30T14:15:59+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-15T21:08:17+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-05-12 10:25:25","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9564255","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9564255","identity":"rs-9564255","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}