Aymmetric refraction in an older population: the blue mountain eye tudy

Purpoe To decribe prevalence and aociation of aymmetric refraction in an older population. Method All participant in the Blue Mountain Eye tudy had comprehenive eye examination, including refraction. pherical equivalent (Eq = um phere + .5 cylinder), in diopter, defined refractive error. Refractive aymmetry wa aeed in phakic participant; aniometropia wa defined a ≥1.0 diopter Eq difference between eye. Reult Aniometropia wa preent in 14.7% of participant. Mean refractive aymmetry (in diopter) in peron aged <60 year wa 0.43; 60 to 69 year, 0.51; 70 to 79 year, 0.72; and 80+ year, 0.88. Prevalence and everity of aniometropia increaed with age (P < .001), increaing ametropia or atigmatim. Aociation included older age, cataract, and increaing ametropia. Myopic participant >−3.0 diopter had the highet aniometropia prevalence. Concluion Refractive aymmetry wa aociated with age, increaing ametropia, and cataract.