A nationwide population-based study of low vision and blindness in South Korea

• Published in: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science 2014-12, Vol.56 (1), p.484-493
• Main Authors: Park, Shin Hae, Lee, Ji Sung, Heo, Hwan, Suh, Young-Woo, Kim, Seung-Hyun, Lim, Key Hwan, Moon, Nam Ju, Lee, Sung Jin, Park, Song Hee, Baek, Seung-Hee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Blindness - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance - methods; Prevalence; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Retrospective Studies; Sex Distribution; Vision, Low - epidemiology; Visual Acuity; Visually Impaired Persons - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0146-0404; 1552-5783
• DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-14909

To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of low vision and blindness in the Korean population. This cross-sectional, population-based study examined the ophthalmologic data of 22,135 Koreans aged ≥5 years from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V, 2010-2012). According to the World Health Organization criteria, blindness was defined as visual acuity (VA) less than 20/400 in the better-seeing eye, and low vision as VA of 20/60 or worse but 20/400 or better in the better-seeing eye. The prevalence rates were calculated from either presenting VA (PVA) or best-corrected VA (BCVA). Multivariate regression analysis was conducted for adults aged ≥20 years. The overall prevalence rates of PVA-defined low vision and blindness were 4.98% and 0.26%, respectively, and those of BCVA-defined low vision and blindness were 0.46% and 0.05%, respectively. Prevalence increased rapidly above the age of 70 years. For subjects aged ≥70 years, the population-weighted prevalence rates of low vision, based on PVA and BCVA, were 12.85% and 3.87%, respectively, and the corresponding rates of blindness were 0.49% and 0.42%, respectively. The presenting vision problems were significantly associated with age (younger adults or elderly subjects), female sex, low educational level, and lowest household income, whereas the best-corrected vision problems were associated with age ≥ 70 years, a low educational level, and rural residence. This population-based study provides useful information for planning optimal public eye health care services in South Korea.