Table 4

Comparison with other population based studies on prevalence of visual impairment and blindness in the United Kingdom and comparable populations in North America, Europe, and Australia

Prevalence of visual acuity less than 6/18
65 plus75 plus85 plus
CountryStudyCorrection of refractive errorNo%No%No%
Refraction: optimal subjective refraction obtained after objective autorefraction.
*Visual impairment <6/12.
†Age groups not exactly the same: 60+. 70+, 80+.
UKMRC trial of assessment and management of older people in the communityPresenting binocular acuity <6/181460012.4310023.5
UKWormald et al2Pinhole <6/182077.710614.2
UK*Reidy et al3Presenting binocular acuity <6/12154730.2
UKVan der Pols et al4Pinhole <6/18136212.0
USA*SEE project9Presenting binocular acuity <6/1225206.990511.7
NetherlandsRotterdam Study5Refraction42142.218064.740811.8
USA†Baltimore Eye Study6Refraction17512.68364.820613.1
USABeaver Dam Eye Study8Refraction20732.77956
AustraliaBlue Mountain Eye Study10Refraction19902.17835.013213.6
Australia†Melbourne Visual Impairment Project12Refraction14672.86056.216118.8