Reliable epidemiological data on the prevalence of the various conditions resulting in vision loss or visual impairment have been relatively scant. Over the past two decades, data from more methodologically sound epidemiological investigations have become available. The data is increasingly important in light of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2010 Program. The National Eye Institute (NEI) has 10 vision health objectives addressing a variety of issues, including the reduction of eye disease such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and refractive error. In order to provide supporting evidence with respect to the prevalence of these eye diseases in the general population, a research synthesis of population-based prevalence studies was conducted. The research synthesis established baseline prevalence rates for these conditions, which can be used to evaluate the vision objectives and facilitate the establishment of guidelines and policies directed at reducing these diseases and their disabling effects in future.
This paper summarizes and synthesizes the prevalence findings from major population-based, published studies of vision impairment over the past 20 years, beginning with the Framingham Eye Study. Using meta-analysis, prevalence rates for eye disease in various ethnic, racial, and age-specific subpopulations of particular interest, are presented.
Learning Objectives: Identify the importance of baseline data in health efforts aimed at reducing the prevalence of eye disease; Identify the magnitude and implications of cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and refractive error; and Describe the approach to synthesizing major population-based studies.
Keywords: Epidemiology, Population
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.