Association between Health Status and Visual Functioning: A Community Based Study

Abstract

High blood pressure and abnormal body mass have been observed to correlate negatively with health status. Of interest in this study, is the impact such health status have on visual function indicated by near point of convergence. In this community based cross sectional study, 250 randomly selected apparently healthy subjects had their weight, height and blood pressure measured, along with near point vision using standard laboratory procedures. The results showed that subjects within the ages of 20-30 years had the best near point vision for right eye of (8.42±2.68cm), left eye (8.68±2.54cm) and when the both eyes are opened (9.46±2.63cm). Although not statistically significant, females were more likely to have wider near point vision than males. Also, subject groups with blood pressure outside the normotensive range and normal body mass index, had wider near point vision that is significantly different from the hypertensive and obese groups. The results therefore, suggest that normal visual functioning is dependent on maintaining a healthy blood pressure and body weight.

Keywords: Healthy wellbeing, Body mass index, Blood pressure, Visual functioning