Exploring Characteristics and Systemic Health Links in Myopic Australian Adults

Data on myopia prevalence in Australia and associations with common systemic conditions and quality of life are limited. This study aimed to profile Australian adults self-reporting to have myopia, including co-morbidities and quality of life.

This research included participants from the ongoing longitudinal 45 and Up Study. Sex and education data were collected at the baseline survey and additional data from the follow-up Health Compass survey. Responses on self-reported myopia, health and quality of life were analysed with logistic regression to assess the association between myopia and health conditions.

Of the 21,384 participant responses, 54.3% self-reported myopia, with higher rates in females and younger individuals. Self-reported myopes were more likely to have achieved higher levels of education, reside in urban and less remote regions and rate their quality of life and overall health worse than non-myopes. Education level was the strongest predictor of self-reported myopia. They were also more likely to report having visual or physical impairment, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes and cancer. Non-myopic participants were less likely to report any disabilities or impairments and health conditions.

The prevalence of self-reported myopia in Australian adults appears high and likely an overestimation. As commonly observed, self-reported myopia was higher in educated urban populations, with a greater propensity in females than males in the younger cohorts. Poorer quality of life and health ratings in self-reported myopes align with previous findings. The higher rates of health conditions in self-reported myopes may reflect shared lifestyle and environmental risk factors.