Vision impairment, ocular conditions, and vision-specific function: the Singapore Malay Eye Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Vision impairment affects a significant portion of the adult population, impacting daily functioning.
• Understanding the relationship between vision impairment, ocular conditions, and functional outcomes is crucial for targeted interventions.
• The VF-11 scale is a tool for measuring vision-specific functioning, but its validity in diverse populations requires assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the VF-11 scale in an Asian Malay population.
• To determine the relationship between vision impairment, ocular conditions, and vision-specific functioning.
• To assess the impact of unilateral and bilateral vision impairment on functional outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with Malay individuals aged 40-80 in Singapore.
• The VF-11 scale was administered to 3267 participants, alongside visual acuity testing and sociodemographic/medical data collection.
• Rasch analysis validated the VF-11, and linear regression models explored associations between vision impairment and functioning.

Main Results:

• The modified VF-11 scale demonstrated unidimensionality, reliability, and validity in this population.
• Participants with unilateral or bilateral vision impairment reported significantly lower vision functioning scores.
• Mild/moderate and severe vision impairment were strongly associated with increased likelihood of moderate and poor vision function, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Presenting unilateral and bilateral vision impairment is significantly associated with poor vision-specific functioning.
• The VF-11 scale is a valid measure for assessing vision-specific functioning in this Asian Malay population.
• Findings highlight the substantial impact of vision impairment across its spectrum on functional status.