Prevalence of Cataract Surgery and Visual Outcomes in Indian Immigrants in Singapore: The Singapore Indian Eye Study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of cataract surgery and factors associated with post-surgical visual outcomes in migrant Indians living in Singapore.Research Design and MethodsWe conducted a population-based study in 3,400 Indian immigrants residing in Singapore−the Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI). All participants underwent comprehensive medical eye examination and a standardized interview. Post-operative visual impairment (VI) was defined as best-corrected or presenting visual acuity (BCVA or PVA) of 20/60 or worse.ResultsThe age- and gender-standardized prevalence of cataract surgery was 9.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.9%, 10.7%) in Singapore resident Indians. Post-operative VI defined by BCVA occurred in 10.9% eyes (87/795). The main causes of post-operative VI were diabetic retinopathy (20.7%), posterior capsular opacification (18.4%), and age-related macular degeneration (12.6%). Undercorrected refractive error doubled the prevalence of post-operative VI when PVA was used.ConclusionsThe rate of cataract surgery is about 10% in Indian residents in Singapore. Socioeconomic variables and migration had no significant impact on the prevalence of cataract surgery. Diabetic retinopathy was a major cause of post-operative VI in migrant Indians living in Singapore. Uncorrected postoperative refractive error remains an efficient way to improve vision.

A retrospective study on the outcomes of cataract surgery in an Eastern Regional Health Authority hospital of Trinidad and Tobago

“…While there is little availability of literature concerning studies done locally or in the Caribbean region, the results of this study are comparable with that of previous international studies ( Desai, Minassian & Reidy, 1999 ; Norregaard et al, 1998 ). Some studies ( Gupta et al, 2013 ; Norregaard et al, 1998 ) use the best corrected visual outcome (BCVA) when assessing visual outcomes but this study used post-operative (presenting) VA since BCVA was not available for all patients. This does not nullify the results of the study as “it is the presenting vision that represents the actual circumstances under which people function in day-to-day activities” ( Leon, 2000 ).…”

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