- Refractive errors, Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism, Meta-analysis, Confidence Interval
Abstract
Refractive errors make for 43% of vision impairments worldwide, consequently being the most common eye disorders. With a focus on the public health consequences, this work attempts to conduct a comprehensive investigation and systematic review of the overall incidence of astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia. A comprehensive search for original English-language research published between 2008 and 2024 was carried out using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. Studies with human participants and published averages and standard deviations (SDs) of refractive errors were included in the inclusion criteria. Reviews, non-English publications, and case reports were not accepted. Of the 47 publications found, 26 satisfied the criteria, examining568,560 eyes. The Meta analysis revealed a high prevalence of refractive errors, particularly myopia, which is more common in children and younger populations. Astigmatism also emerged as a significant concern. While hyperopia decreases with age, myopia increases with inconsistent gender differences in prevalence. The findings highlight a troubling in refractive errors, especially myopia and astigmatism among children and adolescents. To mitigate their impact on visual health and quality of life, regular vision screenings, awareness campaigns and improved access to eye care services are crucial.