Population-Based Projection of Vision-Related Disability in Australia 2020 - 2060: Prevalence, Causes, Associated Factors and Demand for Orientation and Mobility Services

PURPOSE

To project the prevalence, causes, associated factors of vision-related disability and demand for orientation and mobility (O&M) services in Australia from 2020 to 2060.

METHODS

The age-specific prevalence and main causes of vision-related disability were estimated based on primary data of 74,862 participants in 2015 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors for the outcome variables including vision-related disability, cataract, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Future prevalence of vision-related disability and demand for O&M services were forecasted using the population projections by the Australian Bureau of Statistics through 2060.

RESULTS

The main causes of vision-related disability are non-specific sight loss, cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma. Health-related associations for vision-related disability are older age, having a history of stroke, having diabetes, depression, heart disease and hearing impairment. The number of Australians with vision-related disability (283,650, 1.10%) and demand for O&M services (123,317, 0.48%) in 2020 will increase to 559,161 (1.38%) and 237,694 (0.59%) respectively in 2060.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of people with vision-related disability and in need of O&M services in Australia will grow exponentially over the coming decades. General health promotion and specific strategies of early detection and timely treatments of the major eye diseases may ameliorate the trend in vision-related disability.