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The Norfolk Island Eye Study (NIES): Rationale, Methodology and Distribution of Ocular Biometry (Biometry of the Bounty)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2012

David A. Mackey*
Affiliation:
Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Hobart Hospital, University of Tasmania, Australia; Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. D.Mackey@utas.edu.au
Justin C. Sherwin
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Lisa S. Kearns
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Yaling Ma
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia; Ningxia Medical College, Yinchuan, China.
John Kelly
Affiliation:
Norfolk Optical, Norfolk Island, South Pacific.
Byoung-Sun Chu
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Robert MacMillan
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Julie M. Barbour
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Colleen H. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Elizabeth Matovinovic
Affiliation:
Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
Hannah C. Cox
Affiliation:
Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
Claire Bellis
Affiliation:
Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
Rod A. Lea
Affiliation:
Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
Sharon Quinlan
Affiliation:
Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
Lyn R. Griffiths
Affiliation:
Genomic Research Centre, Griffith Institute for Health and Medical Research, Griffith University, Australia.
Alex W. Hewitt
Affiliation:
Centre for Eye Research Australia, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
*
*Address for correspondence: Professor David A Mackey, Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, 2 Verdun St, Nedlands 6009 WA.

Abstract

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Aim: To describe the recruitment, ophthalmic examination methods and distribution of ocular biometry of participants in the Norfolk Island Eye Study, who were individuals descended from the English Bounty mutineers and their Polynesian wives. Methods: All 1,275 permanent residents of Norfolk Island aged over 15 years were invited to participate, including 602 individuals involved in a 2001 cardiovascular disease study. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire and underwent a comprehensive eye assessment including stereo disc and retinal photography, ocular coherence topography and conjunctival autofluorescence assessment. Additionally, blood or saliva was taken for DNA testing. Results: 781 participants aged over 15 years were seen (54% female), comprising 61% of the permanent Island population. 343 people (43.9%) could trace their family history to the Pitcairn Islanders (Norfolk Island Pitcairn Pedigree). Mean anterior chamber depth was 3.32mm, mean axial length (AL) was 23.5mm, and mean central corneal thickness was 546 microns. There were no statistically significant differences in these characteristics between persons with and without Pitcairn Island ancestry. Mean intra-ocular pressure was lower in people with Pitcairn Island ancestry: 15.89mmHg compared to those without Pitcairn Island ancestry 16.49mmHg (P = .007). The mean keratometry value was lower in people with Pitcairn Island ancestry (43.22 vs. 43.52, P = .007). The corneas were flatter in people of Pitcairn ancestry but there was no corresponding difference in AL or refraction. Conclusion: Our study population is highly representative of the permanent population of Norfolk Island. Ocular biometry was similar to that of other white populations. Heritability estimates, linkage analysis and genome-wide studies will further elucidate the genetic determinants of chronic ocular diseases in this genetic isolate.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011