Prevalence of chronic XXXX in a genetic isolate: the Norfolk Island Eye Study (NIES).

@entity1 @entity227 @entity2194 @entity726 @entity1939 @entity4064 @entity1020 @entity4457
PURPOSE: Over 40% of the permanent population of Norfolk Island possesses a unique genetic admixture dating to Pitcairn Island in the late 18(th) century, with descendents having varying degrees of combined Polynesian and European ancestry. We conducted a population-based study to determine the prevalence and causes of @entity1939 and @entity4064 on Norfolk Island. METHODS: All permanent residents of Norfolk Island aged >=  15 years were invited to participate. @entity1 completed a structured questionnaire/interview and underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination including slit-lamp biomicroscopy. RESULTS: We recruited 781 @entity1 aged >=  15, equal to 62% of the permanent population, 44% of whom could trace their ancestry to Pitcairn Island. No one was bilaterally blind. Prevalence of @entity1939 (visual acuity [VA] < 6/60) in those aged >=  40 was 1.5%. @entity1939 was more common in females (P=0.049) and less common in @entity1 with Pitcairn Island ancestry (P<0.001). The most common causes of @entity1939 were @entity1020 ( @entity1020 ), @entity4457 , and @entity726 . Five @entity1 had @entity4064 (Best-Corrected VA < 6/18 in better eye), with 4 (80%) due to @entity1020 . @entity1 with Pitcairn Island ancestry had a lower prevalence of @entity1020 (P<0.001) but a similar prevalence of @entity726 to those without Pitcairn Island ancestry. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of @entity1939 and @entity227 in this isolated Australian territory is low, especially amongst those with Pitcairn Island ancestry. @entity1020 was the most common cause of @entity4064 . The distribution of chronic @entity2194 on Norfolk Island is similar to mainland Australian estimates.
