The Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR): Prevalence and Factors Associated With Vision Impairment in an Urban Population in Malaysia

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.

Prevalence of visual impairment and eye diseases in Malaysia: A cross-sectional prospective study at the University of Malaya Medical Centre

“…This finding is similar to the report by Reddy et al 10 and the National Eye Survey II. 14 In contrast, the prevalence of blindness is lower than that reported in another study conducted in Kuala Lumpur, 12 which is most probably due to the difference in the categorisation of visual acuity-based blindness. The present study defined blindness in accordance with the WHO definition, which is less than 3/60 vision in the better eye with the best corrected vision.…”

Multidomain intervention for reversal of cognitive frailty, towards a personalised approach (AGELESS Trial): Recruitment and baseline characteristics of participants

“…In addition, other study conducted among older adults with increased risk of dementia reported older age, history of diabetes, depression and current smoking as negative factors and higher self-reported physical activity and intermediate level of education as enabling factors for multidomain intervention (28). Multimorbidity and higher fat free mass appeared to be associated with participation in Ageless intervention, this indicate that perceived illnesses could have motivated participation as it plays importance in treatment outcomes (35).…”

“…On the contrary, it is also possible that older adults with higher physical function are more independent and motivated to maintain their functionality (28). None similar local study, however to compare participation among Malaysian older adults in research, previous longitudinal TUA study among Malaysian older adult observed 34.5% defaulter (34) while in another Malaysia Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study 53.1% met the inclusion criteria but did not agree to participate in study (35). Hence, it is challenging to recruit our older adults probably due to family commitment with spouse and grandchildren.…”

Impact of Common Dizziness Associated Symptoms on Dizziness Handicap in Older Adults

“…The impairment of vision is a further significant complaint of older people. Its prevalence in people aged 60 years and older was 13% in Malaysia with an increasing trend in older age (39). In a population ≥50 years, another study found 14.6% with impaired vision only, 11.6% with impaired hearing only and 7.6% with both impaired vision and hearing (40).…”