Ophthalmology (Eye & Ear Hospital) - Research Publications

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    Vision impairment predicts 5 year mortality
    McCarty, CA ; Nanjan, MB ; Taylor, HR (BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP, 2001-03)
    AIM: To describe predictors of mortality in the 5 year follow up of the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP) cohort. METHODS: The Melbourne VIP was a population based study of the distribution and determinants of age related eye disease in a cluster random sample of Melbourne residents aged 40 years and older. Baseline examinations were conducted between 1992 and 1994. In 1997, 5 year follow up examinations of the original cohort commenced. Causes of death were obtained from the National Death Index for all reported deaths. RESULTS: Of the original 3271 participants, 231 (7.1%) were reported to have died in the intervening 5 years. Of the remaining 3040 participants eligible to return for follow up examinations, 2594 (85% of eligible) did participate, 51 (2%) had moved interstate or overseas, 83 (3%) could not be traced, and 312 (10%) refused to participate. Best corrected visual acuity <6/12 (OR=2.34) was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality, as were increasing age (OR=1.09), male sex (OR=1.62), increased duration of cigarette smoking (OR=2.06 for smoking >30 years), increased duration of hypertension (OR=1.51 for duration >10 years), and arthritis (OR=1.42). CONCLUSIONS: Even mild visual impairment increases the risk of death more than twofold. Further research is needed to determine why decreased visual acuity is associated with increased risk of mortality.
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    Association of demographic, familial, medical, and ocular factors with intraocular pressure
    Weih, LeAnn M. ; Mukesh, Bickol N. ; McCarty, Catherine A. ; Taylor, Hugh R. (American Medical Association, 2001)
    Objective: To describe the distribution and associations of demographic, familial, medical, and ocular factors with intraocular pressure (lOP).Methods: A cluster stratified random sample of urban and rural residents of Victoria, Australia, aged 40 years and older. Participants completed an interview and underwent a standardized dilated ophthalmic examination including measurement of IOP with an electronic applanation tonometer (Tono-Pen). Glaucoma status (possible, probable, definite) was determined by a consensus panel. The main outcome measure was IOP.Results: The mean age of the 4576 participants was 59 years, 53% were women, 32% were born overseas, and 132 had open-angle glaucoma. Geometric mean (SD) IOP was 14.3 (± 1.5) mm Hg. The relationship between IOP and nuclear sclerosis, iris color, and family history of glaucoma depended on glaucoma status. In those with glaucoma, family history of glaucoma and country of birth were significantly associated with IOP in multivariate models (model: r²=0.08, P=0.01). In the group without glaucoma, place of residence, use of alcohol, iris color , vitamin E intake, and spherical equivalent were associated with IOP (model: r²=0.01, P=.006).Conclusion: In participants with glaucoma, genetic factors seem to be stronger predictors of IOP, whereas in those without glaucoma, lifestyle and physiological factors seem to play a greater role.