Risk factors for low vision amongst individuals aged 40 years and above in the subdistrict of Beranang, Hulu Langat, Selangor

Abstract

A cross-sectional study on a member of each household aged 40 years and above from 5 randomly sampled villages in Beranang, Hutu Langat, Selangor between August 2000 to December 2000 was carried out to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low vision amongst them. Out of 260 respondents, 2 1.5% were found to have low vision with the majority (55.4%) being due to cataract. The proportion with low vision was highest amongst those aged 60 years and above with a significant difference in the proportion of respondents with low vision amongst the various age groups. The risk of having low vision was almost eight times higher amongst those in the elderly age group as compared to the adult respondents. Those with diabetes mellitus, problem with distant vision and blurring of vision had a higher risk of having low vision.