197442 Smoking and Visual Impairment among Older Adults

Monday, November 9, 2009: 1:03 PM

Xinzhi Zhang, MD, PhD , Vision Health Initiative, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Zhi Hong (Amy) Fan, MD, PhD , Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Lawrence Barker, PhD , Etiology and Surveillance Branch, CDC, NCIPC, Division of Violence Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Jennifer W. Kahende, PhD , National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion / Office on Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Ali H. Mokdad, PhD , Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Yan Li , Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease control and prevention, Atlanta, GA
Jinan B. Saaddine , National Vision Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between smoking and visual impairment (VI) among older adults

METHODS: We used a pooled sample (age ≥ 50) from 2005—2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Vision module. Distance VI was defined by self-reported difficulty in recognizing a friend across the street. Near VI was defined by self-reported difficulty in reading print or numbers. Current smokers were those respondents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their entire life and now smoke every day or some days. Former smokers were those who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes and do not smoke now. We used multivariate logistic regressions to examine the association and to adjust for potential confounders.

RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of distance VI was higher among current smokers (18.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3-19.8) compared to former smokers (14.5%; 95%CI, 13.8-15.3) and non-smokers (15.4%; 95%CI, 14.7-16.1). The estimated prevalence of near VI was also higher among current smokers (36.4%; 95%CI, 34.8-38.0) than former smokers (31.0%; 95%CI, 30.0-32.0) and non-smokers (30.3%; 95%CI, 29.4-31.1). After adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education levels, and general health status, compared to non-smokers, current smokers were found to be independently associated with having distance VI (Odds Ratio [OR]:1.18; 95%CI, 1.06-1.31) and near VI (OR: 1.17; 95%CI, 1.08-1.28). Moreover, former smokers were more likely to have near VI (OR: 1.08; 95%CI, 1.01-1.15).

CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is linked to self-reported VI among older adults. If smoking is causally related to VI, then vision preservation would be a benefit of smoking cessation.

Learning Objectives:
Describe the need to improve vision and eye health in the U.S.; Assess evidence for public health policy and decision making in achieving a population with healthy vision.

Keywords: Vision Care, Smoking

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the leading author on this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Vision and Aging in Health and Disease
See more of: Vision Care Section