A comprehensive study, published in the December issue of the academic journal Archives of Ophthalmology, estimates that 1.04 billion people in the world experience vision impairment caused by presbyopia. The research, undertaken by Professor Brien Holden, CEO of the International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE), and colleagues, not only provides the first comprehensive global estimate of the extent of presbyopia.

According to Professor Holden, the study revealed that an estimated 517 million had either no eyeglasses or inappropriate eyeglasses. As a result their ability to complete important daily tasks is restricted. Most (386 million, or 94 percent) lived in the developing world.

Professor Holden said the study, “Is a vitally important illustration of one of our greatest public health issues – the number of people who have impaired vision due to uncorrected or undercorrected presbyopia and the drastic effects that has on their everyday lives.”

continued…

In the developed world, most people have access to the necessary eye examination and vision correction for presbyopia (usually a pair of glasses) that will allow them to complete a range of important tasks requiring the ability to see close objects clearly. However, in the developing world a massive number of people are prevented from completing these same tasks because they do not have glasses and the impact on their lives is enormous.

“The estimated global economic impact of avoidable blindness and vision impairment is US$42 billion. At least half of this is due to uncorrected refractive error, such as presbyopia. We simply can’t afford not to address it,” Professor Holden said today.

The researchers now predict that the worldwide prevalence of presbyopia will increase to 1.4 billion people by 2020 and to 1.8 billion people by 2050.

Courtesy: International Centre for Eyecare Education