A study conducted in Singapore on eye diseases has been extended to include Chinese and Indian Singaporeans. --PHOTO: ST
A STUDY conducted in Singapore on eye diseases has been extended to include Chinese and Indian Singaporeans.
The study began in 2004 with 3,280 Malays as subjects.
Eventually, 10,000 subjects from all three major races here will be involved.
The aim is to undertake a comprehensive examination of the link between races and eye problems or diseases such as glaucoma, myopia and age-related macular degeneration.
The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SNEC) also hopes to delve into whether genes, lifestyle or diet can put a person at risk of eye diseases.
Prof Wong Tien Yin, a senior consultant ophthalmologist atthe SNEC and the National University Health System, noted for example, that blacks in America are four times more at risk of glaucoma than white people there.
With the studies on Malay participants done in 2006, work began on 3,300 Indians the following year, and will end this June. About 3,300 Chinese will be picked over the next two years for the study as well.
Participation is voluntary.
The Chinese participants will be selected from the south-west part of the island. They will complete a questionnaire on their lifestyle and have their eyes tested for vision and pressure; photos of the back and front of the eye will be taken.
They will also undergo a physical examination, including blood tests and measurements of their blood pressure and weight.
Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
