The burden of undiagnosed age-related eye diseases among older adults in Singapore
In the Population Health and Eye Disease Profile in Elderly Singaporeans study (PIONEER-1) conducted from 2017 to 2022, Yee et al. assessed the prevalence and determinants of undiagnosed eye diseases and their association with visual impairment and quality of life.
Key Findings:
- This cross-sectional cohort study examined 1,878 older adults aged 60 years and above for four age-related eye diseases – cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- The weighted prevalence of having at least one undiagnosed eye disease was 35.8%. Among those found to have each condition, the proportion undiagnosed was 89.8% for both AMD and DR, 48.1% for glaucoma, and 40.8% for cataract.
- Odds of having at least one undiagnosed eye disease were 75%, 71% and 43% higher among multifocal glasses wearers, Malays and Indians, respectively; each year decrease in age was associated with 8% higher odds.
- Compared with those without eye disease, older adults with at least one undiagnosed eye disease reported lower health and vision-related quality of life (1.97% to 5.67% lower) and had 2.46 times higher odds of visual impairment.
Reference: Yee H, Wong CMJ, Gupta P, et al. Prevalence, Risk Determinants, and Burden of Undiagnosed Age-Related Eye Diseases Among Older Asian Adults. JAMAOphthalmol.2026;144(1):23-32.doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.4623
