5 Year Incidence of Refractive Changes in a Population 50 Years and Older

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:To study 5 year incidence of refractive changes in citizens of Reykjavik 50 years and older. Methods:In 1996 we did a randomly sampled population based study on refraction in citizens of Reykjavik 50 years and older. Refraction was performed using Nidek ARK 900 autorefracto-keratometer. In 2001, 5 years later, we repeated the study on 88 % of the 1996 survivors. . Results:The results for right eyes are based on 753 persons examined in 1996 and again 2001. There is a change towards increasing hypermetropia (decreasing myopia) calculated as spherical equivalent until age 70. In the age group 50-54 years(55-59 in 2001) the hypermetropia increased on average 0.41 D during the 5 years and in the age group 55-59 (60-64) it increased on average 0.42 D. In the age group 65-69 (70-74) there is decrease in spherical equivalent by 0.06 D during the 5 years period. After age 70 there is a slight decrease in hypermetropia. There is a shift of the axis of astigmatism towards against the rule with increasing age. In the age group 50-54 (55-59 in 2001) there is a change to against the rule 0.1 D in 5 years and in the age group 65-69 (70-74) there is an against the rule change 0.2 D in 5 years. Conclusion:Results The 5 year incidence study established a shift towards hypermetropia until age 70 years and towards axis of astigmatism agains the rule.

Keywords: 542 refraction • 325 astigmatism • 427 hyperopia