WHO estimates 153 million people worldwide have uncorrected refractive errors

GENEVA — An estimated 153 million people worldwide suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, and 90% of them live in low- and middle-income countries without access to basic eye care services, the World Health Organization announced.

Without visual correction, individuals risk losing educational and professional opportunities, the WHO said in a press release. This can create a cycle of deepening poverty, which the WHO estimated affects at least 13 million children and 45 million adults globally, the press release said.

The WHO previously estimated that 161 million people were visually impaired from eye diseases, but uncorrected refractive errors were not included in that earlier estimate.