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New research · Ophthalmology
Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 5d
Cohort studyOphthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2026

Exploring Characteristics and Systemic Health Links in Myopic Australian Adults.

Pauline Kang, Gareth Lingham, Angelica Ly … David Mackey
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OphthalmologyCohort study

Over half of surveyed Australian adults self-reported having myopia.

Exploring Characteristics and Systemic Health Links in Myopic Australian Adults.

Pauline Kang … David Mackey
Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2026
Background

Data on myopia prevalence in Australia and associations with common systemic conditions and quality of life are limited.

Purpose

This study aimed to profile Australian adults self-reporting to have myopia, including co-morbidities and quality of life.

Methods

This research included participants from the ongoing longitudinal 45 and Up Study.

n = 21,384 participant
54.3%
Results
54.3%
over half of adults checked said they are nearsighted
n = 21,384 participant
More results

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.

More results

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.

“
Conclusion · 1 of 3

The prevalence of self-reported myopia in Australian adults appears high and likely an overestimation.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

As commonly observed, self-reported myopia was higher in educated urban populations, with a greater propensity in females than males in the younger cohorts.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

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.

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