Abstract

To determine prevalence and associations with refractive errors in a defined older population.Cross-sectional study.A total of 3654 residents, aged 49-97, of the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia.Comprehensive questionnaire and detailed eye examination, including refraction.Refractive error of phakic eyes, age, gender, and education.Prevalence rates were determined for myopia (15%), hyperopia (57%), and emmetropia (28%). Hyperopia prevalence was age-related, increasing from 36% in persons aged or = 80 (P or = 80 years (P or = 80 years (P or = 80 years (P or = 80 years (P < 0.0001). Higher education was associated with myopia in men (P = 0.009) but not in women (P = 0.21) after adjustment for age.This report has documented the detailed refractive status of an older population, confirming previously described trends but also finding an apparent higher prevalence of myopia among younger members of this community.