Prevalence of Eye Diseases in South Korea: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2009

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study is to report on preliminary data regarding the prevalence of major eye diseases in Korea.MethodsWe obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nation-wide cross-sectional survey and examinations of the non-institutionalized civilian population in South Korea (n = 14,606), conducted from July 2008 to December 2009. Field survey teams included an ophthalmologist, nurses, and interviewers, traveled with a mobile examination unit and performed interviews and ophthalmologic examinations.ResultsThe prevalence of visual impairment, myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism in participants over 5 years of age was 0.4 ± 0.1%, 53.7 ± 0.6%, 10.7 ± 0.4%, and 58.0 ± 0.6%, respectively. The prevalence of strabismus and blepharoptosis in participants over 3 years of age was 1.5 ± 0.1% and 11.0 ± 0.8%, respectively. In participants over 40 years of age, the prevalence of cataract, pterygium, early and late age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma was 40.2 ± 1.3%, 8.9 ± 0.5%, 5.1 ± 0.3%, 0.5 ± 0.1%, 13.4 ± 1.5%, and 2.1 ± 0.2%, respectively.ConclusionsThis is the first nation-wide epidemiologic study conducted in South Korea for assessment of the prevalence of eye diseases by both the Korean Ophthalmologic Society and the Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This study will provide preliminary information for use in further investigation, prevention, and management of eye diseases in Korea.

Frequency of occurrence of affections of the adnexa and external eye

“…There was no statistically significant difference between men and women. A study in South Korea 4 , a country of predominantly industrial economy, showed that the prevalence of pterygium was 5.4%, also affecting more men than women, similar to the present study.…”

Ocular Findings of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 in the Korean Population

“…The relatively high prevalence of exotropia in our study is not surprising, as it is well known that exotropia is far more common in Asian populations [19]. Yoon et al [20] reported an overall prevalence of myopia (< −0.75 D) and hyperopia (> +1.00 D) of 53.7 and 10.7 %, respectively, among non-institutionalized civilian Koreans. However, because of the more stringent criteria for emmetropia in our study, we observed a higher overall prevalence of both myopia and hyperopia in comparison to the earlier study.…”

Burden of Visual Impairment and Chronic Diseases

“…29 Unlike these previous studies, the present study analyzed a government-led, nationwide survey that included a large number of representative participants and a comprehensive health interview and examination. This design resulted in low rates of missing data in the analyses, as well as accurate VI definition using BCVA that had been measured by trained ophthalmologists, 8,[16][17][18][19] is the major strength of the present study. Another strength of the present study is that the EQ-5D index was derived using the South Korean version of preference weights, 22 which differ across countries and cultural backgrounds.…”

“…Uncorrected and/or corrected VA (decimal VA; using the individual's own glasses/lenses) was measured at a distance of 4 m using an international standard vision chart that is based on the logMAR Scale (Jin's vision chart). 8,16,25 …”

“…The survey has been described in detail previously. 8,[16][17][18][19] ; the present study analyzed deidentified data from the first 2 surveys. The institutional review board of the Seoul National Bundang Hospital approved this study and waived the need for informed consent.…”