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Blue Mountains Eye Study (blue + mountain_eye_study)
Selected AbstractsCorrelation between vision- and health-related quality of life scoresACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009Brighu N. Swamy Abstract. Purpose:, To examine the correlation between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores [assessed using the generic Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire] and vision-related quality of life (VRQOL) scores [assessed using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ25)]. Methods:, Cross-sectional analytic study. All surviving participants of the Blue Mountains Eye Study (n = 1952, aged 60 years and older) were invited to attend comprehensive eye examinations 10 years after baseline examinations and were asked to complete both questionnaires. Results:, Complete data were available for 1436 participants. After controlling for age, sex and the presence of either unilateral or bilateral visual impairment, the number of hospital admissions, chronic medical conditions and disabilities, we found that the composite NEI-VFQ score was significantly associated with the two main domains of the SF-36 survey: the summary physical component score (P < 0.001) and the mental component score (P < 0.001). There was relatively low correlation (r < 0.3) between the NEI-VFQ25 subscales and SF-36 subscales including the physical and mental composite scores. Conclusion:, VRQOL is influenced by both general health and HRQOL. However, there is a relatively low correlation between the individual subscales of these two quality of life questionnaires. [source] Topical beta-blockers and the risk of cardiovascular mortalityACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2007NM JANSONIUS Purpose: Recently, the Blue Mountains Eye Study reported an association between the use of topical timolol and cardiovascular mortality (Lee et al. Ophthalmology 2006). The purpose of the present study was to confirm or falsify this clinically very important finding, using data from the population-based Rotterdam Study. Methods: 6971 participants of the Rotterdam Study, a longitudinal population based study of all residents aged 55 years and older from a district of Rotterdam, The Netherlands, were followed from 1991 onwards. Medication use and morbidity were recorded continuously during follow-up. For the current analysis, baseline use of topical beta-blockers and systemic cardiovascular medication as well as baseline cardiovascular morbidity were used, aiming to follow the design of the Blue Mountains Eye Study as close as possible. Cause of death was registered up to 1-1-2005. Data were analysed using Cox regression; Hazard ratios of topical beta-blocker use were adjusted for age, sex, cardiovascular morbidity and use of systemic cardiovascular medication. Results: Mean age at baseline was 69 years (SD 9 years); 146 participants were using topical beta-blockers at baseline. 2726 participants died during follow-up (all cause mortality 40.1%), 611 (9.0%) had a cardiovascular cause of death. Hazard ratio of topical beta-blocker use was 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.63-1.02; P=0.07) for all cause mortality and 0.78 (0.46-1.29; P=0.32) for cardiovascular mortality. Conclusions: In our data, the use of topical beta-blockers at baseline was not associated with either all cause mortality or cardiovascular mortality during follow-up. [source] Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and age-related maculopathy (ARM): cross-sectional findings from the Blue Mountains Eye StudyACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3p1 2004Kathy H. C. Wu Abstract. Purpose:, To assess the relationship between the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and prevalence of age-related maculopathy (ARM). Methods:, Eligible residents aged , 49 years were first examined in 1992,94 (Cross-section 1, n = 3654). Of these, 2335 were re-examined in 1997,99, together with an additional 1174 who became eligible after 1994 (Cross-section 2, n = 3509). Information regarding ACEI use was obtained and retinal photographs were graded using the Wisconsin ARM Grading System. Results:, In Cross-section 1, prevalence rates of late and early stage ARM were 1.3% and 4.3% among current ACEI users, and 2.0% and 4.8% among non-current users, respectively. In Cross-section 2, prevalence rates of late and early stage ARM were 2.3% and 11.3% among current ACEI users, and 1.3% and 9.3% among non-current users, respectively. After adjusting for age, sex and smoking, neither survey found any significant association between ACEI use and prevalence of either late or early ARM. Conclusions:, No significant cross-sectional associations were found between ACEI use and ARM prevalence in this population. [source] Increase in cataract surgery prevalence from 1992,1994 to 1997,2000: analysis of two population cross-sectionsCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Ava Grace Tan BSc(Hons) Abstract Background:,Monitoring temporal changes in the demand for and provision of cataract surgery will be useful to health planners to meet resource needs and to estimate likely costs. The aim of this report was to compare the prevalence of cataract surgery in two population cross-sections of the Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES), over an interval of around 6 years. Methods:,Cross-section I (n = 3654; mean age 66.2 years) consisted of BMES I participants (1992,1994). Cross-section II (n = 3509; mean age 66.7 years) consisted of BMES II (5-year) participants (n = 2335) plus persons who had moved into the area and age category since BMES I (n = 1174), so were newly eligible (1997,2000). Cataract surgery history was collected during interview and confirmed at examination. Results:,Over this 6-year period, there was a 32% increase in cataract surgery prevalence from 6.0% to 7.9%, or from 6.0% to 7.7% after age standardization. The increase in eye-specific prevalence was 43% (from 4.4% to 6.3%). It was more marked among persons aged 80+ years and for bilateral (from 12.3% to 19.9%) than unilateral surgery (from 10.7% to 11.8%). Best-corrected visual acuity (mean letters read correctly) after surgery (43 and 44 letters, respectively) was similar between cross-sections I and II. Conclusions:,The findings from a representative older population confirm that prevalent cataract surgery has increased substantially over the average 6-year period, from 1992,1994 to 1997,2000. [source] Patterns of glaucomatous visual field defects in an older population: the Blue Mountains Eye StudyCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 4 2003Anne J Lee BSc(Med) MB BS Abstract This report aims to describe the frequency of different patterns of visual field loss in open-angle glaucoma (OAG). The Blue Mountains Eye Study examined 3654 persons (aged 49+) during 1992,1994. Humphrey supra-threshold visual fields were performed in 88.9%. Those classified as glaucoma suspects had 30,2 full-threshold fields (9.2%). Of OAG cases (n = 108) with field tests in both eyes (n = 97), unilateral defects were present in 49 (50.5%) and bilateral in 48 (49.5%). Advanced field loss was found in 16 (15.4%) subjects and in 22 (10.9%) eyes, with bilateral loss present in 6 (6.2%) cases. Of all eyes of OAG cases (n = 201), 49 (24.4%) had no defects, 52 (25.9%) upper, 61 (30.3%) lower, and 17 (8.5%) had combined upper and lower loss. Of the upper and lower cases (n = 113), the types of defects included nasal step (36), arcuate (26), nasal plus arcuate (26), and hemispherical defects (25). Of subjects with fields in at least one eye (n = 104), there was a similar proportion in the worse eye of upper defects (28.8%), lower (31.7%), and combined upper and lower (24.0%). Undiagnosed OAG was more frequent in unilateral (65.3%) than bilateral (34.7%) cases (P = 0.003). This study reports the pattern of typical glaucomatous field loss in an older Australian population. [source] Impaired vision and other factors associated with driving cessation in the elderly: the Blue Mountains Eye StudyCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Jagjit Singh Gilhotra MBBS ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to review vision and other factors associated with the cessation of driving. As part of the Blue Mountains Eye Study, detailed demographic information, driving status and medical history were taken. Visual acuity was measured during a standardized refraction and visual fields documented. Potential risk factors were decided a priori. Among the 3654 Eye Study participants, 2831 (77.5%) had driven a motor vehicle in the past, of whom 2379 (84.0%) were current drivers and 452 (16.0%, 95% CI 14.6,17.4%) said they had stopped driving. Older persons and women were more likely to have stopped driving. After adjusting for age and sex, sensory impairment affecting vision and hearing, plus chronic medical conditions and benzodiazepine use were significantly associated with cessation of driving. The study found that sensory impairment, particularly visual parameters, was associated with the decision to stop driving by older subjects. [source] | ||||||||||