The Barbados eye study: design and progress report - abstract

ABSTRACT

The Barbados Eye Study is determining the prevalence and risk factors of major causes of visual loss in a random sample of the population between ages 40 and 84 years. All participants have visual acuity (VA) measurements, applanation tonometry, computerized perimetry, lens gradings, fundus photography, glycosylated haemoglobin, interview, blood pressure and anthropometry. Persons with positive test results and a 10 percent sample of all participants also have an opthalmologic examination, additional threshold perimetry and tonometry. The study also has a longitudinal component, the glaucoma follow-up study, which provides continuing care and evaluation for newly detected cases of glaucoma and suspect glaucoma. Recruitment of the intended sample size of 4,000 persons is expected to end in 1991. By November 1990, 3,095 persons had completed data collection with a participation of 87 percent of those eligible. Preliminary findings show a prevalence of visual impairment (VA < 20/40 in the better eye) of 11.5 percent, age-related cataract, age-related maculopathy, open-angle glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy were main causes of decreased VA. Blindness prevalence (VA < 20/200 in the better eye) was 3.2 percent; open-angle glaucoma and age-related cataract were the major causes of blindness. Results suggest a high prevalence of open-angle glaucoma as found in an earlier pilot project. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were also very frequent in this population (AU)