Korean J Ophthalmol.  2011 Dec;25(6):421-433. 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.6.421.

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

• Yoon KC
• Mun GH
• Kim SD
• Kim SH
• Kim CY
• Park KH
• Park YJ
• Baek SH
• Song SJ
• Shin JP
• Yang SW
• Yu SY
• Lee JS
• Lim KH
• Park HJ
• Pyo EY
• Yang JE
• Kim YT
• Oh KW
• Kang SW

• KMID: 1031190
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2011.25.6.421

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to report on preliminary data regarding the prevalence of major eye diseases in Korea.
METHODS
We 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.
RESULTS
The 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.
CONCLUSIONS
This 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.

Keyword

Epidemiology; Eye diseases; Korea; Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Eye Diseases/*epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nutrition Surveys/*statistics & numerical data
Prevalence
Republic of Korea/epidemiology
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Ophthalmologic examination flowchart for Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. IOP = intraocular pressure; DR = diabetic retinopathy.

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  Fig. 2 Prevalence of blepharoptosis according to age and gender.

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  Fig. 3 Prevalence of cataract according to age and gender.

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  Fig. 4 Prevalence of pterygium according to age and gender.

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  Fig. 5 Prevalence of early and late age-related macular degeneration according to age and gender.

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  Fig. 6 Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in persons with diabetes mellitus according to age and gender.

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  Fig. 7 Prevalence of glaucoma according to age and gender.

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