Blue Mountains Eye and Hearing Study

The Blue Mountains Eye Study (BMES) was the first large population-based assessment of visual impairment and common eye diseases of a representative older Australian community sample. The project was conducted in an area that included Katoomba, Leura, Medlow Bath (postcode 2780) and Wentworth Falls (postcode 2782). This area was chosen as its demography is similar to the overall Australian population of this age. Those aged over 49 years were identified via door to door census and invited to participate. Baseline data collection took place in 1992-1994 with 3654 residents. Follow-up assessments have been conducted at 5 year (BMES2); 10 year (BMES3) and 15 year intervals (BMES4). From BMES2, the design of the study was extended to include detailed hearing assessment (BMHS) conducted by audiologists, giving a more comprehensive picture of sensory functioning in older Australians.

BMES findings indicated that under- or uncorrected refraction is frequent, with vision improving by one line on the vision chart in 45% of participants after a careful refraction and by three or more lines in 13%. The frequency of bilateral and unilateral visual impairment, after refraction, increased from 0.6% and 3.6%, respectively, for people aged less than 60, to rates of 26.3% and 52.2%, respectively, for people aged 80 years or older.

Impaired hearing is one of the most frequently reported disabilities in Australia and represents an important area of public health concern because of the under-utilisation of hearing aids and other rehabilitation measures. Defining hearing loss as the average of hearing thresholds measured over four frequencies in both ears greater than 25 decibels, hearing impairment was present in 39% of those aged 55 or older. The frequency of hearing loss almost doubled for each decade of age - from 10.5% of those aged less than 60 years rising to 77.7% of those aged 80 or older. Overall, less than half of those with measured hearing loss had sought help and less than one third used a hearing aid.

As part of the BMEHS an NHMRC capacity building research grant has been awarded, allowing a post-doctoral researcher to focus on identifying the health policy implications of the data.

More detailed information on the BMEHS can be found at the Centre for Vision Research website http://www.cvr.org.au/bmes.htm