The Malaysian elders longitudinal research (MELoR): Prevalence and factors associated with vision impairment in an urban population in Malaysia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2021
Abstract
Low vision and blindness are major health issues affecting ageing population. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence of visual impairment (VI) in Petaling Jaya North, Petaling Jaya South, and Lembah Pantai using data from the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research. There were 1322 participants aged >= 55 years selected by random sampling from parliamentary electoral rolls. Visual acuity was assessed using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution chart at 4 m distance. The overall population-adjusted prevalence of VI was 9.0%. The estimated prevalence of VI was highest in Malays followed by Indians and Chinese. Following adjustments for ethnic discrepancies in age, marital status, education level, gender and medical illness, the Malay ethnicity remained an independent association for VI. Education level was associated with Indian ethnicity. In conclusion, the Malay ethnicity and lower education level among Indian ethnicity were found to be associated with VI among the older population in Malaysia. The Malay ethnicity showed the highest prevalence of VI followed by Indians and Chinese.
Keywords
Ageing, Ethnicity, Visual impairment, Asian
Divisions
ophthalmplogy
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education High Impact Research Grant [UM.C/625/1/HIR/MOHE/ASH/02]
Publication Title
Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health
Volume
33
Issue
2-3
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Publisher Location
2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320 USA