Trends and projections of the burden of visual impairment in Asia: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

This study aims to examine the trends in the burden of visual impairment across Asia from 1990 to 2021 and to project the burden through 2040. This population-based study used data from the latest Global Burden of Disease 2021 study. Prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) were the main outcomes. The trends were analyzed by calculating the average annual percentage change (AAPC) using joinpoint regression analysis. The projection was performed by Bayesian age-period-cohort modeling. The prevalence of visual impairment in Asia increased from 1990 to 2021, with AAPCs of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44 to 1.11), while YLD rates decreased with AAPCs of -0.21 (95% CI, -0.38 to -0.03). Near vision loss was the main contributor to visual impairment in Asia. Notably, the prevalence in the working-age population (20 to 54 years) increased significantly from 1990 to 2021 (AAPC = 2.11 [95% CI, 1.70 to 2.53]), which was accord with the YLDs (AAPC = 1.07 [95% CI, 0.83 to 1.32]), whereas for children and adolescents (<20 years) and the elderly (≥55 years) it has decreased. According to the projection, the burden was predicted to significantly increase across all Asian sub-regions, especially in East Asia and South Asia. The burden of visual impairment in Asia has been substantially increasing from 1990 to 2021. This trend is anticipated to persist significantly soon, especially in East Asia and South Asia, underlining the urgent need for concentrated attention and robust policy support for these regions.