Prevalence of refractive error in Europe: the European Eye Epidemiology (E3) Consortium

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of refractive error in adults across Europe. Refractive data (mean spherical equivalent) collected between 1990 and 2013 from fifteen population-based cohort and cross-sectional studies of the European Eye Epidemiology (E3) Consortium were combined in a random effects meta-analysis stratified by 5-year age intervals and gender. Participants were excluded if they were identified as having had cataract surgery, retinal detachment, refractive surgery or other factors that might influence refraction. Estimates of refractive error prevalence were obtained including the following classifications: myopia ≤−0.75 diopters (D), high myopia ≤−6D, hyperopia ≥1D and astigmatism ≥1D. Meta-analysis of refractive error was performed for 61,946 individuals from fifteen studies with median age ranging from 44 to 81 and minimal ethnic variation (98 % European ancestry). The age-standardised prevalences (using the 2010 European Standard Population, limited to those ≥25 and <90 years old) were: myopia 30.6 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 30.4–30.9], high myopia 2.7 % (95 % CI 2.69–2.73), hyperopia 25.2 % (95 % CI 25.0–25.4) and astigmatism 23.9 % (95 % CI 23.7–24.1). Age-specific estimates revealed a high prevalence of myopia in younger participants [47.2 % (CI 41.8–52.5) in 25–29 years-olds]. Refractive error affects just over a half of European adults. The greatest burden of refractive error is due to myopia, with high prevalence rates in young adults. Using the 2010 European population estimates, we estimate there are 227.2 million people with myopia across Europe. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-015-0010-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Axial length growth and the risk of developing myopia in European children

“…2009; Williams et al. 2015). Such a cohort effect may have led to an underestimation of the upward trend of the growth curve at age 15 and older.…”

“…2009; Williams et al. 2015), whereas hyperopia is more prevalent in developing countries (Morgan et al. 2010).…”

The burden of ocular diseases in an underdeveloped village in Southwest Sumba, Eastern Indonesia, 2016

“…In addition, they also had difficulties in reading small letters such as those in Qur'an, Bible, or newspapers. 12 Refractive error is the most common etiology of visual impairment due to failure of precisely focusing rays of light from an object onto the retinal layer resulting in blurred vision and requiring a refractive correction in order to see clearly. [11][12] In this study, there were 76 participants (11.3%) with refractive errors, four of them were in 0-16 year age group.…”

“…12 Refractive error is the most common etiology of visual impairment due to failure of precisely focusing rays of light from an object onto the retinal layer resulting in blurred vision and requiring a refractive correction in order to see clearly. [11][12] In this study, there were 76 participants (11.3%) with refractive errors, four of them were in 0-16 year age group. This condition required refractive http://mji.ui.ac.id OD= ocular dextra; OS= ocular sinistra; ODS= ocular dextra and sinistra correction as it caused moderate to severe visual impairment.…”

Ametropia among school children-A cross-sectional study in a sub-urban municipality in Ghana

“…It is estimated that about 2.3 billion people worldwide including children have refractive error [2] and is the second leading cause of treatable blindness worldwide [3]. Refractive error consists of myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism [4] and is corrected mainly with spectacles.…”