The Barbados eye study: major prevalence findings - abstract

ABSTRACT

This study has been designed to provide information about the visual loss in the predominantly Afro-Caribbean population in Barbados. The prevalence, incidence and risk factors of eye disease were studied in a random population sample of 4,709 Barbadian-born people 40 - 84 years of age. Data collected included visual acuity, applanation tonometry, automated perimetry, lens grading, disc and macula photographs along with histories and other clinical measurements such as blood pressure. Data on visual acuity showed that 12 percent of subjects had impairment of vision worse than 6/12 whislt 3.4 percent had severe loss ( > 6/60). Open angle glaucoma (OAG) was diagnosed on the criteria of visual field loss and typical optic disc pathology in at least one eye. Six percent (309 persons) were diagnosed as having OAG, 3.6 percent as suspect OAG and 12 percent had intraocular pressure higher than 21 mm Hg. Prevalence of OAG increased with age, reaching 25 percent in men and 22 percent in women 80 years of age and over. Half of the cases found had been previously diagnosed. Analysis suggests that the risk factors for OAG are older age, males, high intraocular pressures, a history of cataract and a lean body mass. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and obesity were not identified as risk factors in this study. Lens opacities were frequent (44 percent), and increased in frequency with age. Of those persons with visual acuity less than 6/12, 75 percent had cataracts. These findings should be helpful in implementing blindness prevention programmes (AU)