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      Increased Prevalence of Myopia in the United States Between 1971-1972 and 1999-2004

      Archives of Ophthalmology
      American Medical Association (AMA)

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          Abstract

          To compare US population prevalence estimates for myopia in 1971-1972 and 1999-2004. The 1971-1972 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided the earliest nationally representative estimates for US myopia prevalence; myopia was diagnosed by an algorithm using either lensometry, pinhole visual acuity, and presenting visual acuity (for presenting visual acuity > or =20/40) or retinoscopy (for presenting visual acuity < or =20/50). Using a similar method for diagnosing myopia, we examined data from the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to determine whether myopia prevalence had changed during the 30 years between the 2 surveys. Using the 1971-1972 method, the estimated prevalence of myopia in persons aged 12 to 54 years was significantly higher in 1999-2004 than in 1971-1972 (41.6% vs 25.0%, respectively; P < .001). Prevalence estimates were higher in 1999-2004 than in 1971-1972 for black individuals (33.5% vs 13.0%, respectively; P < .001) and white individuals (43.0% vs 26.3%, respectively; P < .001) and for all levels of myopia severity (>-2.0 diopters [D]: 17.5% vs 13.4%, respectively [P < .001]; < or =-2.0 to >-7.9 D: 22.4% vs 11.4%, respectively [P < .001]; < or =-7.9 D: 1.6% vs 0.2%, respectively [P < .001]). When using similar methods for each period, the prevalence of myopia in the United States appears to be substantially higher in 1999-2004 than 30 years earlier. Identifying modifiable risk factors for myopia could lead to the development of cost-effective interventional strategies.

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          Author and article information

          Journal
          Archives of Ophthalmology
          Arch Ophthalmol
          American Medical Association (AMA)
          0003-9950
          December 14 2009
          December 14 2009
          : 127
          : 12
          : 1632
          Article
          10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.303
          20008719
          75bfb580-36c5-4747-ab93-f0aca283b62b
          © 2009
          History

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