Vision loss in Australia

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and causes of vision loss in Australia and to project these data into the future. Design: Synthesis of data from two cross-sectional population-based cohort studies - the Melbourne Visual Impairment Project and the Blue Mountains Eye Study - and extrapolation to the entire Australian population. Setting and participants: 8376 community and 533 nursing home residents recruited between 1992 and 1996 in urban and rural Victoria and New South Wales. Main outcome measures: Age-standardised prevalence of low vision (visual acuity < 6/12) and blindness (visual acuity < 6/60) (both measured in the best eye, with spectacles if usually worn for distance vision), and..