Prevalence Of Myopia, Hyperopia, And Astigmatism Among School-Age Children In Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO348 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/58v5-tm16
Authors: Nader Nassiri* 1 , Maryam Yadgari 2 , Soheil Adib-Moghaddam 3 , Kourosh Sheibani 4 , Sara Kavousnezhad 5
1Ophthalmology,Imam Hossein Medical Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, 2Ophthalmology,Imam Hossein Medical Center,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, 3Ophthalmology,Universal Council of Ophthalmology (UCO),Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, 4Ophthalmology,Basir Eye Health Research Center,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of, 5Ophthalmology,Vanak Eye Surgery Center,Tehran,Iran, Islamic Republic Of
Purpose
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism among school-age children in Saudi Arabia
Setting
Refractive errors, particularly myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, are among the most common impairments that affect the human vision of individuals worldwide. Myopia, which is the condition of the inability to see far-off objects clearly because of the elongation of the axial length of the eye, has become a public health concern. It is estimated that approximately 22.9% of the global population is affected by myopia, and with the projection, it will stand at an estimated 49.8% by 2050.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Observational studies reporting prevalence estimates of refractive errors in Saudi school-age children were included. Data were extracted, and quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.
Results
Ten studies (n > 16,000 children) were included. The pooled prevalence of myopia was 10.0% (95% CI: 4.0–19.0%), with significant heterogeneity (I² = 99.56%). Hyperopia prevalence was 4.9% (95% CI: 1.0–11.0%; I² = 99.47%), and astigmatism prevalence was 9.0% (95% CI: 0.0–26.0%; I² = 99.8%). Mild myopia was the most common severity category (28.6%–87%), while mild hyperopia and low/moderate astigmatism were predominant. Prevalence varied by region, diagnostic methods, and gender, with higher rates in urban areas and females.
Conclusions
Refractive errors are prevalent among Saudi school-age children, with significant regional and methodological variations. These findings highlight the need for standardized diagnostic approaches and targeted public health interventions to address the growing burden of refractive errors in this populatio