Prevalence and causes of vision loss in Southeast Asia and Oceania: 1990-2010

Abstract

Background To assess prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Southeast Asia and Oceania in 1990 and 2010. Methods Based on a systematic review of medical literature, prevalence of moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; presenting visual acuity 3/60 in the better eye) and blindness ( presenting visual acuity <3/60) was estimated for 1990 and 2010. Results In Oceania, the age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI did not decrease significantly (1.3% to 0.8% and 6.6% to 5.1%) respectively, but in Southeast Asia, blindness decreased significantly from 1.4% to 0.8%, a 43% decrease. There were significantly more women blind (2.18 million) compared with men (1.28 million) in the..