A recent study of 190 countries and territories dating back to 2010 shows that low levels of socio-economic development correlate directly to high levels of visual impairment. Whilst the relationship is not unexpected, the study could help identify countries in most need of help and assist with a more realistic setting of public health targets.

The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, shows that while countries with higher healthcare spending showed a lower prevalence of blindness, a higher proportion of the population were blind in countries where individuals had to contribute higher amounts towards their own treatment. In addition, researchers found that higher education levels corresponded to lower incidence of vision loss.

The study employed a range of socio-economic indices, and researchers hope that the information gathered will help identify countries requiring greater attention. It is also hoped that regression modelling based on the new data will allow countries to develop appropriate public health targets consistent with their level of socioeconomic development.

Sources:

1. JAMA Ophthalmology:
   Association of Socioeconomics with Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Blindness.

2.UK Business Insider:
Where socioeconomic development lags, vision problems are more common.