Related Determinants of Eye Disease, Cataract, Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration Among Adults of Korea: from the 7^thKnhanes

Eye disease problems are rapidly increasing worldwide. But few studies have been performed despite of its importance. Our study was aimed to find out the major determinants of cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

The 7^thKnhanes(KOREA NATIONAL HEALTH and NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY) data was used to identify the association of the major determinants of eye disease including cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. We used the national representative data. 4041 participants were involved and analyzed to find out affecting major determinants of eye diseases with multiple-logistic-regressions by complex-sampling-methods.

The prevalence of eye disease was 15.6%. The most affecting related determinant was ageing. Through analyzing with multiple-logistic-regression, our study showed that ageing of over 65 aged group (OR 44.96; 95%CI; 13.07–154.72) and 35–64 aged group (OR 4.58; 95%CI; 1.35–15.53) compared to 19–34 aged group were showed as the strongest determinant of eye disease significantly. And the next determinants were revealed as in no presence of spouse (OR 1.63; 95%CI; 1.27–2.10) and lowering education level, especially in under elementary educated group (OR 1.64; 95%CI; 1.15–2.34), poor oral health (chewing difficulty)(OR 1.43; 95%CI; 1.02–2.10 and in more getting stress group(OR1.39; 95%CI; 1.07–1.80) in order.

Therefore, well designed public health interventions such as health education of the community including improving chewing ability and managing stress should be accomplished in the community basis of primary health care for the successful ageing as well as preventing eye diseases of Koreans.