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Objective. To examine the association between body fatness indices and retinal vascular calibre in Singapore Chinese children. Methods. We recruited 136 Singapore Chinese children aged 6--16 years from the STARS (The Strabismus, Amblyopia and Refractive Error Study in Singaporean Chinese Preschoolers) Family study in 2008--2010. Anthropometric measurements including weight, height and triceps skinfold (TSF) and right eye retinal photographs were performed. TSF was measured with Holtain-Tanner calliper on the back of the arm and midway between the point of the acromoion and olecranon process while the arm was hanging relaxed. TSF and BMI threshold (cut-off points for overweight and obesity) were defined as 85th and above of age- and gender-specific TSF and BMI standard charts which were based on American representative survey data. Results. The mean retinal arteriolar and venular calibres were 155.78 ±± 15.02 μμm and 219.66 ±± 21.88 μμm, respectively in the STARS Family study. Each standard deviation (SD) increase in TSF (4.49 mm) and BMI (3.52 kg/m2) was associated with a 2.94 μμm ( p == 0.012) and a 3.40 μμm ( p == 0.005) widening in retinal venular calibre, respectively. Compared with children with TSF and BMI below threshold, children with TSF and BMI above threshold had a 10.21 μμm ( p == 0.001) and a 9.33 μμm ( p == 0.021) increase in retinal venular calibre, respectively. Conclusions. Greater TSF and BMI are associated with wider retinal venular calibre in healthy children aged 6 years and above. These findings suggest a possible effect of abnormal body fatness indices on early retinal vascular changes that reflect microvasculature in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies from developed Western countries have shown inconsistent associations between breast-feeding and overweight/obesity in children and adolescents. Few data are available from Asian populations. The purpose of the present study was therefore to evaluate the association between breast-feeding and overweight/obesity in a study of 10–12-year-old children in Singapore. Methods: A total of 797 school children (49% girls, 76% Chinese) who participated in the Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM) were examined. Overweight/obesity ( n = 179) was defined as age–sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-offs corresponding to BMI of 25 kg/m2 for overweight and 30 kg/m2 for obesity at age 18 based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) reference. Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 22.5%. Overall, breast-feeding was not found to be associated with overweight/obesity. After adjusting for potential confounders, the multivariable odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of overweight/obesity was 1.14 (0.80–1.63) for ever breast-fed compared with never breast-fed, 1.00 (0.57–1.72) for breast-fed for >3 months compared to ≤3 months and 0.79 (0.47–1.34) for exclusive/mostly breast-fed compared to partly breast-fed. Conclusions: No significant associations were detected among breast-feeding, its type, and duration with overweight/obesity in this Asian cohort of 10–12-year-old children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the association between school performance and myopia in Singapore children. Methods: Children aged 10–12 years from two schools in the Singapore Cohort study Of the Risk factors for Myopia (SCORM) were included. Results of a Year 4 standard nation-wide examination were obtained. Cycloplegic autorefraction and A-scan ultrasound biometry measurements were performed in the schools. Results: The odds ratio for myopia (defined as right eye spherical equivalent at least −0.5 D) was 2.5 (95% confidence interval 1.4–4.5) for children with average school examination scores in the fourth quartile compared with the first, after adjusting for confounders including reading in books per week and IQ test scores. Similar significant associations were found for English language ( p = 0.001) and native language school examination scores ( p < 0.001), while the associations with mathematics school examination scores were of borderline significance ( p = 0.055). Conclusion: School grades, a possible indicator of either cumulative engagement in near work activity or intelligence, were positively associated with myopia in Singapore children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and weight and retinal vascular caliber in children in Singapore. Changes in retinal vascular caliber have been linked with obesity and metabolic syndrome in adults. Retinal arteriolar or venular caliber was not associated with height. It concluded that greater BMI and weight were associated with larger retinal venular caliber in healthy children.

Purpose: To evaluate the various surgical interventions available for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Methods: Reports of controlled clinical trials of surgical interventions (pneumatic retinopexy, scleral buckling and vitrectomy) for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment indexed in MEDLINE from 1968 to January 2006 were included. The primary outcomes evaluated included single-operation reattachment rates, multiple reoperation reattachment rates and improvements in visual acuity (VA). Results: We found five controlled trials (two randomized) comparing the efficacy of pneumatic retinopexy versus scleral buckling. The single-operation reattachment rates were higher for scleral buckling, but the final reattachment rates were similar. We found nine controlled trials (four randomized) evaluating vitrectomy. There were no statistically significant differences between retinal reattachment rates or final visual acuities, except in one randomized and one non-randomized controlled trial in which the VAs were significantly better in the vitrectomy than the scleral buckling group. Conclusions: Pneumatic retinopexy is a possible alternative to scleral buckling in the treatment of uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The rates of missed or new retinal breaks after pneumatic retinopexy, however, are higher than following scleral buckling. The clinical outcomes of vitrectomy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment compare favourably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the utility of asking for presence of progressive forgetfulness (PF) prior to administering the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT) when screening for dementia in the community-dwelling elderly Chinese. Methods This was a two-phased community-based survey of elderly subjects (≥50 yrs). In phase one, subjects were asked for PF and administered the AMT. Those having PF or an impaired AMT performance were evaluated clinically for dementia in phase two, which also included a randomly selected sample of 35 subjects with no PF and who passed the AMT. Results 2566 subjects completed phase one interview, of which 128 subjects completed phase two. Overall prevalence of PF, failed AMT and dementia were 2.4%, 2.2%, 0.9% respectively. The sensitivity of PF for dementia was 95.7% with specificity of 45.1%. PF was significantly associated with depression in the young-old (50–74 yrs) but not in the old-old (≥75 yrs) age group, after adjusting for dementia. The probability of subjects (%) in the four possible diagnostic combinations of PF and AMT in the young-old and (old-old) age groups were 0 (0.06) in the no PF/ passed AMT, 0 (0.44) in the no PF/failed AMT, 0.23 (9.2) in the PF/passed AMT and 3.6 (43) in the PF/failed AMT groups. Conclusion In screening for the most common dementias, AMT administration is not required if PF is absent. AMT is also of no added utility for diagnosing dementia in older subjects with PF. Younger subjects with PF should be closely evaluated for depression especially if they passed the AMT, and dementia, if they failed the AMT. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although technologies to correct myopia have progressed in recent years, it is not known how cost-effective such technologies are. In this paper, utility values of myopic medical students in Singapore were ascertained as a first step to deriving weights for quality adjustment in future cost-effectiveness studies of such technologies. Methods: Students ( n = 120) aged 18–22 years with myopia (spherical equivalent at least −0.5 D) from Singapore's sole medical school were recruited. Information on lifetime intention to undergo refractive surgery, contact lens use, proportion of waking time spent wearing corrective devices, and utility values using the time trade-off and standard gamble for death methods, were obtained. Results: The mean utility values for time trade-off and standard gamble were 0.97 (95% confidence interval 0.96–0.98, median 1.00) and 0.99 (95% confidence interval 0.98–0.99, median 1.00), respectively. Utility values were significantly higher among those who reported a probability of less than 50% that they would undergo refractive surgery within their lifetime, compared with those who reported a probability of 50% or more (means 0.98 vs. 0.95, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Utility values in myopic medical students obtained in this study appear to be relatively high, compared with those obtained for other ophthalmic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides the direct economic and social burden of myopia, associated ocular complications may lead to substantial visual loss. In several population and clinic-based cohorts, case–control and cross-sectional studies, higher risks of posterior subcapsular cataract, cortical and nuclear cataract in myopic patients were reported. Patients with high myopia (spherical equivalent at least –6.0 D) are more susceptible to ocular abnormalities. The prevalent risks of glaucoma were higher in myopic adults, and risks of chorioretinal abnormalities such as retinal detachment, chorioretinal atrophy and lacquer cracks increased with severity of myopia and greater axial length. Myopic adults were more likely to have tilted, rotated, and larger discs as well as other optic disc abnormalities. Often, these studies support possible associations between myopia and specific ocular complications, but we cannot infer causality because of limitations in study methodology. The detection and treatment of possible pathological ocular complications is essential in the management of high myopia. The ocular risks associated with myopia should not be underestimated and there is a public health need to prevent the onset or progression of myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to study the prevalence of refractive conditions in Singapore teenagers. Grade 9 and 10 students ( n = 946) aged 15–19 years from two secondary schools in Singapore were recruited. The refractive errors of the students’ eyes were measured using non-cycloplegic autorefraction. Sociodemographic data and information on risk factors for myopia (such as reading and writing) were also obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The prevalence of refractive conditions was found to be: myopia [spherical equivalent (SE) at least −0.50 D] – 73.9%, hyperopia (SE at least +0.50 D) – 1.5%, astigmatism (cylinder at least −0.50 D) – 58.7% and anisometropia (SE difference at least 1.00 D) – 11.2%. After adjusting for age and gender, currently doing more than 20.5 h of reading and writing a week was found to be positively associated with myopia [odds ratio 1.12 (95% CI 1.04–1.20, p = 0.003)], as was reading and writing at a close distance and a better educational stream. The prevalence of myopia (73.9%) in Singapore teenagers is high. Current reading and writing habits, reading at close distances and a better educational stream are possible risk factors for myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that the author welcomes the delegates of the 11th International Myopia Conference, which will be held on August 16-18, 2006 in Singapore, a dynamic city rich in contrast and color that remains a bridge between the East and West. The event will serve as a platform for research scientists and eyecare professionals to present the latest findings in myopia research. Furthermore, the organizers of the event hope to address queries about myopia.

To evaluate parental history of myopia as a predictor of refractive error and eye size in Chinese pre-school children. A total of 514 pre-school children (aged 2.3–6.4 years) were examined. Parental history of myopia, amount of near work performed, refractive status and ocular biometry were recorded. There was no significant difference in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) among children with no myopic parents (mean + 0.94 ± 0.05 D), one myopic parent (mean + 0.77 ± 0.07 D) and two myopic parents (mean + 0.79 ± 0.12 D) (p = 0.102) after controlling for age and amount of near work. Further, children with more myopic parents did not have longer eyeballs (p = 0.335). In this study in Chinese pre-school children, parental history of myopia was not found to be associated with a myopic refractive error or increased eyeball length. Further studies with larger sample sizes would help to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]