Stable myopia prevalence in New Zealand from 2001 to 2023 estimated from national driver licence data on unaided...

Understanding myopia prevalence can improve patient education and help guide early interventions. This knowledge may enhance awareness, support better decision-making, and positively impact patients' vision and quality of life.

The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, but no published data exists for New Zealand. This study estimated myopia prevalence using New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) data on the number of driver licence holders with a B-condition, indicating that their unaided visual acuity was worse than 6/12 and they must wear refractive correction while driving.

A retrospective analysis of de-identified NZTA licence data (with or without a B-condition) for 2001, 2006, 2013, 2018 and 2023 was performed. Data were stratified by gender in 5-year age groups. Data from the 25-44-year age range were used to estimate myopia prevalence, assuming all B-conditions resulted from myopia. Approximately 96% of 25 to 44-year-olds in New Zealand had a driver's licence in 2023. Non-parametric, Mann-Kendall (M-K) trend analysis was used to investigate changes in myopia prevalence over time.

In 2001, the proportion of 25-44-year-old drivers with a B-condition was 21.55%: n = 1,033,251 (25.32% in females, 17.78% in males). By 2023, when the 25-44-year-old group consisted of different individuals, the proportion of B-condition licences was 21.44%: n = 1,438,257 (25.39% in females, 17.71% in males). The proportion among successive independent cohorts of younger drivers (aged 25-29 years, combined female & male) remained stable from 2001 to 2023 (M-K trend, S = -8, p = 0.086) at 19.82 ± 1.71% (mean ± SD).

The prevalence of myopia in the New Zealand population of 25-44-year-olds remained stable from 2001 to 2023 at approximately 22% overall (with prevalence of approximately 25% in females and 18% in males).