Vision impairment predicts 5 year mortality

Abstract

Aim - To describe predictors of mortality in the 5 year follow up of the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project (VIP) cohort. Methods - The Melbourne VIP was a population based study of the distribution and determinants of age related eye disease in a cluster random sample of Melbourne residents aged 40 years and older. Baseline examinations were conducted between 1992 and 1994. In 1997, 5 year follow up examinations of the original cohort commenced. Causes of death were obtained from the National Death Index for all reported deaths. Results - Of the original 3271 participants, 231 (7.1%) were reported to have died in the intervening 5 years. Of the remaining 3040 participants eligible to retur..