The Singapore Malay Eye Study (SiMES) is a population-based survey aimed at determining the prevalence and risk factors of visual impairment, blindness and major eye diseases in adult Malay Singaporeans.

SiMES will provide the first population-based data on the causes, distribution, and control of the most important age-related eye diseases affecting our elderly population. SiMES will provide an opportunity to obtain important public health data, which will be useful for health care planning and resource allocation for Singaporean Malays in the future.

Specifically, in SiMES, we will examine 3,200 Malay Singaporeans aged 40 to 79 years. The study participants will be required to answer a detailed questionnaire as well as go through a detailed eye examination which includes visual acuity, refraction, biometry, tonometry, gonioscopy, visual field, and digital lens and retinal photography.

SiMES is jointly organised by the Singapore Eye Research Institute and the National University of Singapore. The study is partially funded by the Ministry of Health, and is strongly supported by Yayasan Mendaki and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), with both organisations actively advising and participating in the project.

In addition, SiMES is part of an overall study called SEDS (Singapore Eye Disease Survey), which aims to find out the causes and distribution of visual impairment, blindness and major eye conditions in the major racial groups in Singapore. Due to resource constraints, we are conducting the studies in each racial group on a sequential basis. After completing the study in the Malay population, we will move on to study the Singapore Chinese and Indian population.

For more information on SiMES, please feel free to contact any of the study coordinators.