The Ocular Epidemiology Research Group, led by Professor Cheng Ching-Yu , conducts and coordinates epidemiological and population-based projects under the Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) programme. Our strategic vision is to provide novel knowledge in population health to enable the dissecting, detecting and preventing of the most prevalent ocular diseases in both our children and aging populations in Singapore and Asia. We hope to promote and improve global eye health.
Our Vision
We are a world-leading research programme focusing specifically on the epidemiology and impact of eye diseases in Asia. We aim to:
Provide a one-stop “data portal” and information source on the epidemiology of Asian eye diseases
Cover an entire spectrum of prevalence, incidence, risk factors, and impacts of Asian eye diseases in three major racial/ethnic groups (Chinese, Malays, Indians)
Facilitate “precision public health” by providing the right intervention to the right population at the right time in the future
Our Aims
To document the prevalence, incidence, risk factors and public health significance of blinding eye diseases in Singapore and Asia through the conduct of large scale epidemiological studies
To foster international collaborations with other public health and ophthalmic institutes in Asia and worldwide
To provide research expertise, training and consultation to other researchers and ophthalmic institutions in Singapore and Asia
Population CohortsThe SEED programme includes more than 21,000 adult and children participants from seven large population-based studies, with a focus on studying major eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, refractive errors and cataract.
Cohort
Age range
Ethnicity
Number
Data Collected
Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES)
40-80 years
Malays
3280
Prevalence, environmental and genetic risk factors, images, and impacts of visual impairment and major eye diseases
Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI)
Indians
3400
Prevalence, incidence rates, progression, and risk factors of myopia in children
Singapore Chinese Eye Study (SCES)
Chinese
3353
Magnitude and causes of refractive errors and other ocular diseases
The Singapore Prospective Study Programme (SP2) Ancillary study
24-95 years
Chinese, Malays and Indians
5000
Prevalence, environmental and genetic risk factors, and impacts of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus)
Polyclinic Study
50+ years
2000
Ocular and image biomarkers for glaucoma
Singapore Cohort Study of the Risk Factors for Myopia (SCORM)
7-9 years
1600
Prevalence, incidence rates, progression, and risk factors of myopia in children
STrabismus, Amblyopia, and Refractive Error study of preschool Singapore children (STARS)
6 to 72 months
3000
Magnitude and causes of refractive errors and other ocular diseases
Current Research Projects
Project
Principal Investigator
Period
Singapore Diabetic Retinopathy, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Imaging (DREAM) Program
Prof Wong Tien Yin
2013 - 2019
Retinal Microvascular Abnormalities as Predictors of Decline in Kidney Function in the Singapore Indian Eye Study Cohort
Assoc Prof Charumathi Subanayagam
2015 - 2018
The Singapore Chinese Eye Study 2 (SCES-2): Prospective Cohort Study of 6-year Incidence, Risk Factors, and Impact of Major Age-related Eye Diseases
Prof Cheng Ching-Yu
2015 - 2019
Characterizing the Role of Iris Surface Features in Iris Sponginess and their relevance to Angle-Closure Glaucoma
2016 - 2019
Deep Phenotyping and Genetic Landscaping of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma
2017 - 2022
Diabetes Study on Nephropathy and Other Microvascular Complications (DYNAMO): Retinal Microvasculature as a Window to Study Mechanisms and Pathways in Diabetic Nephropathy
The Singapore Epidemiology of Eye Diseases (SEED) Study 3: Prospective Multi-ethnic Cohort Study of 12-year Incidence, Risk factors, and Impact of Major Age-related Eye Diseases
2018 - 2021
Translational Asian Age-related macular degeneration Program (TAAP): Population Health: Characterizing Disease Burden, Novel and Genetic Risk Factors in Asians
Prof Wong Tien Yin & Prof Cheng Ching-Yu
2018 - 2023
The Ocular Epidemiology Research Group brings together innovative epidemiological research and cutting-edge technology, such as a next-generation sequencing and artificial intelligence, with a focus on our theme-oriented strategy. Our group has multi-disciplinary expertise in all aspects of clinical and epidemiological research. We mainly research and develop the following areas:
Prevalence, incidence and risk factors
Genetics and biomarkers
Advanced ocular imaging
We have established Singapore as a leading hub of ophthalmic epidemiology, clinical and genetic research in Asia with a particular focus on diseases that are prevalent in this region. Data collected from the SEED study has been used widely by national and international agencies (e.g. the Ministry of Health [MOH] Singapore, the World Health Organization, the Global Burden of Disease programme, etc.) and clinical guidelines (e.g. 2014 MOH Diabetes Guidelines, 2016 Asia Pacific Glaucoma Guidelines, 2016 American Diabetes Association Guidelines, 2017 International Council of Ophthalmology Diabetic Eye Care Guidelines). The data has been used to provide estimates of eye disease burden to set up the national DR screening. It also assists both the MOH’s planning for healthcare manpower (future ophthalmology and optometry manpower) and the College of Ophthalmology’s planning for the National Ophthalmology Road Map 2030 plan in Singapore.
In addition, we also provide research expertise, resource, and consultation for other research centres, hospitals and ophthalmic institutions in Singapore and Asia. We conduct training programmes for clinicians, research fellows and graduate students interested in ophthalmic epidemiology.
Cheng CY, et al. Nine loci for ocular axial length identified through genome-wide association studies, including shared loci with refractive error. American Journal of Human Genetics 2013;93:264-77.
Tham YC, et al. Global prevalence of glaucoma and projections of glaucoma burden through 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ophthalmology 2014;121:2081-90.
Wong WL, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Global Health 2014;2:e106-16.
Liao J, et al. Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in multiethnic Asians identifies two loci for age-related nuclear cataract. Human Molecular Genetics 2014;23:6119-28.
Hysi PG, et al. Genome-wide analysis of multi-ancestry cohorts identifies new loci influencing intraocular pressure and susceptibility to glaucoma. Nature Genetics 2014;46:1126-30.
Wong CW, et al. Kidney and eye diseases: common risk factors, etiological mechanisms and pathways. Kidney International 2014;85:1290-302.
Chua J. et al. Ethnic differences of intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness: the Singapore epidemiology of eye diseases study. Ophthalmology 2014;121:2013-22.
Sabanayagam C, et al. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus using HbA1c in Asians: relationship between HbA1c and retinopathy in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2015;100:689-96.
Cheng CY, et al. New loci and coding variants confer risk for age-related macular degeneration in East Asians. Nature Communications 2015;6:6063.
Chua J, et al. Prevalence, risk factors, and visual features of undiagnosed glaucoma: the Singapore epidemiology of eye diseases study. JAMA Ophthalmolgy 2015;133:938-46.
Tham YC, et al. Aggregate effects of intraocular pressure and cup-to-disc ratio genetic variants on glaucoma in a multiethnic Asian population. Ophthalmology 2015;122:1149-57.
Sabanayagam C, et al. Visual impairment in old and very old community-dwelling Asian adults. Ophthalmology 2016;123:2436-8.
Ting D, et al. Development and validation of a deep learning system for diabetic retinopathy and related eye diseases using retinal images from multiethnic populations with diabetes. JAMA 2017;318:2211-23.
Sobrin L, et al. Genetically determined plasma lipid levels and risk of diabetic retinopathy: a mendelian randomization study. Diabetes 2017;66:3130-41.
Sabanayagam C, Cheng CY. Global causes of vision loss in 2015: are we on track to achieve the Vision 2020 target? Lancet Global Health 2017;5:e1164-5.
Head
Prof Cheng Ching Yu
Deputy Head
Assoc Prof Charumathi Sabanayagam
Investigators & Fellows
Dr Tham Yih Chung
Dr Simon Nusinovici
Dr Neelam Kumari
Dr Tao Yijin
Research Associate
Dr Shivani Majithia
Dr Sahil Thakur
Dai Wei
Chai Xiaoran
Clinical Team
Teo Cong Ling
Cynthia Ong
Binu Thapa
Rosesita Binte Shaikh
Manivannan Udayaraj
Biobank Laboratory
Chee Miao Ling
Michelle Ng
Research Admin
Angelina Lee
Riswana Banu
Munirah Naser
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