A Nationwide Population-Based Study of Low Vision and Blindness in South Korea

作者：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^*

来源：Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2015, 56(1): 484-493.

DOI：10.1167/iovs.14-14909

• blindness
• low vision
• South Korea
• visual impairment

PURPOSE. To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of low vision and blindness in the Korean population.
METHODS. 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.
RESULTS. 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.
CONCLUSIONS. This population-based study provides useful information for planning optimal public eye health care services in South Korea.

• 出版日期2015-1