rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2002;86:951-956 doi:10.1136/bjo.86.9.951
  • World views

Prevalence of blindness and low vision in Malaysian population: results from the National Eye Survey 1996

  1. M Zainal1,
  2. S M Ismail2,
  3. A R Ropilah1,
  4. H Elias3,
  5. G Arumugam4,
  6. D Alias1,
  7. J Fathilah5,
  8. T O Lim6,
  9. L M Ding6,
  10. P P Goh4
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  2. 2Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  3. 3Department of Ophthalmology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
  4. 4Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  5. 5Department of Ophthalmology, Universiti Malaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  6. 6Clinical Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  1. Correspondence to: Dr Pik-Pin Goh, Department of Ophthalmology, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Jalan Pahang 50586, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; pgoh108{at}hotmail.com
  • Accepted 6 March 2002

Abstract

Background: A national eye survey was conducted in 1996 to determine the prevalence of blindness and low vision and their major causes among the Malaysian population of all ages.

Methods: A stratified two stage cluster sampling design was used to randomly select primary and secondary sampling units. Interviews, visual acuity tests, and eye examinations on all individuals in the sampled households were performed. Estimates were weighted by factors adjusting for selection probability, non-response, and sampling coverage.

Results: The overall response rate was 69% (that is, living quarters response rate was 72.8% and household response rate was 95.1%). The age adjusted prevalence of bilateral blindness and low vision was 0.29% (95% CI 0.19 to 0.39%), and 2.44% (95% CI 2.18 to 2.69%) respectively. Females had a higher age adjusted prevalence of low vision compared to males. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of bilateral low vision and blindness among the four ethnic groups, and urban and rural residents. Cataract was the leading cause of blindness (39%) followed by retinal diseases (24%). Uncorrected refractive errors (48%) and cataract (36%) were the major causes of low vision.

Conclusion: Malaysia has blindness and visual impairment rates that are comparable with other countries in the South East Asia region. However, cataract and uncorrected refractive errors, though readily treatable, are still the leading causes of blindness, suggesting the need for an evaluation on accessibility and availability of eye care services and barriers to eye care utilisation in the country.

Footnotes

  • Series editors: W V Good and S Ruit

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.