Myopic Open-angle Glaucoma Prevalence in Northeast Asia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Population-based Studies

PURPOSE: Investigation of myopic open-angle glaucoma (OAG) prevalence in Northeast Asia by systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Systematic PubMed, Embase and Cochrane database searches for Northeast Asian population-based studies published up to 30 November 2020 and reporting on myopia and OAG diagnosis. By random-effect models, pooled OAG prevalence in a myopic population and pooled myopic OAG prevalence in a general population were generated, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The meta-analysis encompassed five population-based studies in four countries (12,830 individuals, including 7,723 patients with myopia and 1,112 patients with OAG). In a myopic population, OAG prevalence was 4.10% (95% CI, 3.00–5.70; I(2) = 93%); in a general population, myopic OAG prevalence was 1.10% (95% CI, 0.60–1.70; I(2) = 94%). A visual examination of funnel plot symmetry raised a suspicion of publication bias. Notwithstanding, Begg and Mazumbar’s adjusted rank correlation test showed no such evidence (p = 0.6242). CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis returned an estimate of OAG prevalence in a myopic Northeast Asian population. Our findings will inform future glaucoma studies as well as public health guidelines for Northeast Asian populations.