Prevalence of refractive error within a Portuguese sample of optometric records

PURPOSE: Considering the burden of refractive error, clinical-based research methods are often used as epidemiological tools. This study aimed to generate evidence on the prevalence and distribution of refractive error in Portugal. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study was designed to review optometric records from Portuguese practices during July 2021. RESULTS: 348 optometric records were analysed. Subjects had a mean age of 44.2 ± 19.2 years (range 6–81) and 58.4% were female. The mean spherical equivalent was myopic, −0.65 ± 2.38 Diopters (D), varying from a minimum of −13.63 to a maximum of 6.25 D. According to sex, the mean spherical equivalent was −0.76 ± 2.29 D for female and −0.49 ± 2.49 D for male, with no significant difference between them (p = .307). The distribution of the spherical equivalent mean across the age groups, linearly varies from a myopic −1.62 ± 1.74 D in the age group of [6 – 29]; −1.58 ± 2.80 D in [30 – 44]; −0.09 ± 2.40 in [45 – 59] to a hyperopic 0.67 ± 1.61 D in the group of [60 – 81]. High myopia had a prevalence of 2.7% in the sample. Myopia was the most prevalent refractive error in the sample representing 41.3%. In the age group [6–29], myopia had a prevalence of 69.3%. Hyperopia had a prevalence in the sample of 29.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Myopia represents the most prevalent refractive error within the sample and is the prevalence is higher in the younger age groups, demonstrating a shift towards an increase of myopia in the next years.