LAUSR

PURPOSE To describe the pattern and risk factor traits associated with visual loss (defined as either visual impairment[VI] or blindness) in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort of Malays, Indians and Chinese living in Singapore. METHODS 10,020 participants from the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) Study were examined between 2004-2011. All underwent standardized examinations. VI [VA<20/40 to ≥20/200] and blindness [VA<20/200]), were defined based on the U.S definition, better-seeing eye. Singapore Population Census 2010 was used to calculate age-standardized prevalence. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent and joint risk factors associated with visual loss. RESULTS Malays had higher age-standardised prevalence of best-corrected and presenting VI (5.4%; 19.9%,respectively) than Indians (3.6%; 18.0%) and Chinese (3.3%; 17.2%). Cataract was the main cause for presenting and best-corrected blindness; cataract and diabetic retinopathy were the top causes for best-corrected VI, consistently observed across the three ethnic groups. Older age, female gender, lower socioeconomic status, diabetes, systemic comorbidities and cognitive impairment were independently associated with increased risk of best-corrected visual loss (all P≤0.027). Individuals aged≥60 years with diabetes were 12.7 times (95% CI, 8.39-19.23) likely to have best-corrected visual loss, compared to younger, non-diabetic individuals. Lower income and education explained 58.1% and 23.2% of best-corrected visual loss in this population, respectively. CONCLUSION In this urban multi-ethnic Asian population, we identified common traits associated with visual loss across Malays, Indians and Chinese. These results will be useful for the planning and designing of eye health services and strategies for Asia's rapidly developing populations living in urban communities.