Visual Impairment among Older Adults in Selangor State of Malaysia: The Grand Challenge Project

Sahril

et al. 2021

IJERPH

Vision and hearing impairments are common among older adults and can cause undesirable health effects. There are limited studies from low- and middle-income countries exploring gender differences between vision and hearing impairment with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) disability. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate gender differences between vision and hearing impairments with ADL disability among older adults in Malaysia. Cross-sectional data from 3977 respondents aged 60 and above from the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018 were used. We used logistic regression analysis to measure associations between vision and hearing impairments with ADL disability, adjusted for covariates. The prevalence of ADL disability was higher among females than males (p < 0.001). The adjusted associations between vision impairment and ADL disability were significant among males (aOR 3.79; 95%CI 2.26, 6.38) and females (aOR 2.66; 95%CI 1.36, 5.21). Similarly, significant adjusted associations were found between hearing impairment and ADL disability among males (aOR 5.76; 95%CI 3.52, 9.40) and females (aOR 3.30; 95%CI 1.17, 9.33). Vision and hearing impairments were significantly associated with ADL disability, with no gender differences identified. Early detection and effective management of vision and hearing impairments are important to prevent ADL disability and improve older adults’ level of independence.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vision and Hearing Impairments Affecting Activities of Daily Living among Malaysian Older Adults by Gender

Sahril

et al. 2021

IJERPH

“…This result again was consistent with the number of the race population in the state, with Iban being the majority race (26.5%), followed by Chinese (19.9%), Malay (18.7%), and other local natives (24.1%) (The official Portal of Sarawak Data, 2017). The prevalence of low vision and blindness in various studies too showed that they are race-independent (Rahman et al, 2020;Thevi et al, 2012;Wong et al, 2019;Zainal et al, 2002).…”

Section: Gender and Race Among Low Vision And Blindmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Causes of Low Vision and Blind in Ophthalmology Department, Miri Hospital, Sarawak

Ruby Huong Yeng Ting,

Chung Lee Sean,

Filzah Rahilah Hussain

et al. 2021

BJMS

Prevalence and causes of low vision and blind have been studied nationally and globally. However, similar studies have not been conducted locally in Sarawak. This study aims to identify the prevalence and causesof low vision and blind patients of different gender, age, and race in the Ophthalmology Department, Miri Hospital, Sarawak, for five years from 2016 to 2020. This study is a retrospective observational study. A total of 17,868 patients’ clinical records were screened. The clinical records with fulfilled inclusion criteria will be extracted and reviewed. In this study, 269 (1.50%) patients were diagnosed with irreversible visual impairments. The prevalence of low vision and blindness was 0.78% and 0.72%, respectively. Most subjects (187, 69.5%) were more than 50 years old. Furthermore, 151 (56.13%) subjects were male, while 118 (43.87%) were female. Race Iban has a higher prevalence of low vision and blind (88, 32,7%), followedby Chinese (81, 30.1%), Malay (53, 19.7%), and other local natives (17, 5%). The four leading causes of low vision and blind were diabetic retinopathy (68, 25.3%), glaucoma (62, 23.0%), retinitis pigmentosa (26, 9.7%),and age-related macular degeneration (17, 6.3%). Low vision and blind due to diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration could be avoided if eye health screening is conducted as early as age 40. For patients diagnosed with low vision and blind, integrated low vision and blind rehabilitation training should be accessible in all public healthcare systems. For the stakeholder, enforcing low vision and blind registry, fortifying low vision rehabilitation services, and precise mechanism of welfare intervention are the measures for more holistic low vision and blind management.

“…Previous studies on low vision and blindness in Malaysia were mainly conducted in the peninsular region and predominantly focused on Malay, Chinese, and Indian ethnic groups (Ibrahim & Razif, 2022;Mohidin & Yusoff, 1998;Omar et al, 2008;Omar, 2010;Rahman et al, 2020). Although some studies have explored the visual impairment among preschool and school-aged children, as well as among patients visiting the Ophthalmology Department in the southern and northern regions, there were no studies described visual impairment in the central region of Sarawak (Abu Bakar et al, 2012;Huong et al, 2022;Ting et al, 2021;Premsenthil et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes of Visual Impairment and Types of Low Vision Aids Prescribed in Low Vision Clinic, Sibu Hospital, Sarawak

Liong Swee Lee,

Lim Thiam Hou,

Mohammad Ridzwan Bin Bihem

et al. 2023

BJMS

This study was to determine the causes of visual impairment and to identify the low vision prescribing pattern among Low Vision Clinic (LVC) patients in the Sibu Hospital. This study was conducted retrospectively among 41 patients attending the LVC, Sibu Hospital. Patients’ demographic characteristics, causes of low vision and blindness, and types of low vision devices prescribed were recorded and analysed for 21 (52.5%) males and 19 (47.5%) females. The mean age was 39.38 ± 17.98 years. The main causes of visual impairment were retinal dystrophies in 12 cases (30.0%) followed by neurological causes in 9 cases (22.5%), glaucoma in 8 cases (20.0%), and acquired macular disorders in 4 cases (10.0%). A total of 27 low vision devices were dispensed, 85.2% (n = 23) were near devices and 14.8% (n = 4) were distance devices. The most frequently prescribed low vision devices (LVD) were video magnifiers (37.0%), followed by hand magnifiers (22.2%), spectacle magnifiers (14.8%), telescopes (14.8%) and stand magnifiers (11.1%). The main leading causes of visual impairment in LVC Sibu Hospital were retinal dystrophies. Video magnifiers were the most common type of low-vision device prescribed. A prompt comprehensive screening is urged for family members with retinal dystrophies to detect the diseases early and hence timely exposure to low vision care and rehabilitation. Familial counselling on inherited retinal diseases and better screening by primary eye care providers are required. Low vision services should be an integral part of the eye care systems in Malaysia.