Prevalence of Myopia Has Increased in Teenagers

Prevalence since the 1970s has more than doubled among black teenagers and has increased about 30% among white teenagers.

Vision testing is an important component of health maintenance. To examine whether the prevalence of myopia in the U.S. is changing, investigators compared estimates of visual acuity and myopia (based on lensometry, pinhole visual acuity, or retinoscopy) from the 1971–1972 and the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

During the 30 years between the two surveys, the prevalence of myopia increased significantly from 25% to 42% among all participants aged 12 to 54 years, from 24% to 34% among teenagers (age range, 12–17 years), and from 28% to 38% among young adults (age range, 18–24 years). The prevalence more than doubled (from 12% to 31%) among black teenagers and increased about 30% (from 26% to 35%) among white teen…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)