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More than 50% prevalence of cataract found in study of elderly Taiwan residents
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BUSAN, Korea — Results from the Shihpai Eye Study, which examined local eye health in the Shihpai, Taipei, Taiwan, elderly population, found that the leading cause of visual impairment in the population was cataract, at a prevalence of 59.2%.
Wen-Ming Hsu, MD, conducted the study in Taiwan, where the proportion of elderly people has exceeded 7% since 1994, which meets the World Health Organization’s criterion for an aging society. The study was presented as a poster at APAO/SOE 2012.
“This study provided us precious information on ocular health in our elderly population and can assist us in planning health care services and future public education programs,” Dr. Hsu said in handout material provided at the meeting.
Residents 65 years and older were identified by the household registration system in Taiwan, for a total of 4,750 residents. Of those, 1,361 participated in a questionnaire and eye examination.
The study also found that cigarette smoking was a risk factor for cataract. In addition, women had a higher prevalence of cataract than men.
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