Refractive Errors: Public Health Challenges and Interventions

Book excerpt: This Research Topic is Volume 2 in the Research Topic series 'Myopia: Public Health challenges and interventions'. Uncorrected refractive errors are a significant cause of impaired vision and blindness in most world populations. During early childhood, uncorrected refractive errors may affect visual development and result in amblyopia. The largest burden of refractive error is myopia which significantly increases the risk of blinding conditions such as myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataract. High myopia poses greater risks than mild or moderate myopia. Epidemiological research and advocacy have positioned uncorrected refractive errors on the global health agenda as a major public health issue. However, more research is needed to determine the full extent of the threat posed by refractive errors, to establish effective interventions and to consolidate prevention methods.