Changes in refractive error over a 5-year interval in the Beaver Dam Eye Study.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Gerontology
• Vision Science

Background:

• Age-related changes in vision are common.
• Understanding refractive error progression is crucial for eye health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the 5-year changes in spherical equivalent (SE) in adults aged 43-84.
• To identify factors influencing age-related refractive shifts.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 3684 participants (43-84 years) with baseline (1988-1990) and 5-year follow-up (1993-1995) refractions.
• Exclusion of aphakic/pseudophakic eyes and eyes with reduced visual acuity.
• Analysis of 3007 right and 3012 left eyes.

Main Results:

• Spherical equivalent (SE) became more positive (farsighted) in younger subjects and more negative (nearsighted) in older subjects.
• At age 75, the 5-year SE change was -0.07D, while at age 45 it was +0.15D.
• Increasing nuclear sclerosis severity correlated with more negative SE change; mild sclerosis showed +0.2D change, severe showed -0.5D.

Conclusions:

• Refractive changes over 5 years were generally small.
• Individuals under 70 tended to become more hyperopic, while those over 70 became more myopic.
• Nuclear sclerosis is a significant factor contributing to age-related myopic shifts.