PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS OF PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA, AND IMPACT ON VISION-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ADULTS IN SINGAPORE

Abstract

Myopia is a major public health problem. Persons with high myopia are at risk of myopia-related blinding complications, like myopic macular degeneration (MMD) and retinal detachment. The prevalence of MMD and associated visual impairment has been reported in several populations. Information on the incidence of MMD is limited. Evidence on the genetic variants specifically associated with MMD is needed. MMD is a leading cause of blindness, but the impact of MMD on vision-related quality of life at the population level has not been investigated. Therefore, this thesis aims to examine the prevalence, incidence, progression of MMD, the associated risk factors and impact among adults in Singapore. This thesis included adults from two prospective cohorts, the Singapore Cohort Of the Risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) and Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) studies. Genetic variants associated with MMD were evaluated using data from the Consortium of Refractive Error and Myopia (CREAM).