A study found the prevalence of myopia in the New Zealand population of 25 to 44-year-olds remained stable from 2001 to 2023, at approximately 22% overall (with a prevalence of around 25% in females and 18% in males).

Derived from driver’s licence data on visual acuity, it’s the first published study on myopia prevalence in New Zealand, an important milestone in understanding myopia trends in the country’s population, said co-author Maggie Xu, a PhD candidate with the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland.

Understanding myopia prevalence can improve patient education and help guide early interventions, Xu wrote. “This knowledge may enhance awareness, support better decision-making and positively impact patients’ vision and quality of life.”