title: Severity of visual impairment and depression among elderly Malaysians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between severity of visual impairment and depression among elderly Malaysians attending an eye clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included patients, aged>or=60 years who attended the Eye Clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre. Exposure measurement was based on ophthalmologic examinations by an ophthalmologist. Data on outcome were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for important confounders, severity of visual impairment either having low vision or blind were independent risk factors of depression. The odds of developing depression among elderly with low vision were 2 times more than those with normal vision, and elderly who were blind had almost 5 times the odds to be depressed compared with those having normal vision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study suggest a positive relationship between the severity of visual impairment and depression among elderly Malaysians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya, Ministry of Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. noran@um.edu.my
authors.forename: Naqiah Hairi
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Noran
authors.forename: Muldha Ghazali
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Izzuna
authors.forename: Awang Mahmud
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bulgiba
authors.forename: Zahari
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mimiwati
authors.forename: Said Mas
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ayu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012306:Risk; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*