Correction of refractive error in the Victorian population: the feasibility of "off the shelf" spectacles

Aims-To assess the feasibility of providing a stock of ready made spectacle s for correction of refractive error in the general population. Methods-Data were collected in the Visual Impairment Project, a population based survey of Victorian residents aged 40 years or older in randomly sele cted urban and rural sample areas. This included a refractive eye examinati on and the proportion of subjects with hypermetropia, emmetropia (defined a s -1.0 to +1.0D spherical equivalent), and myopia documented in the 40-60 y ear age group. Results-2595 (54.8%) participants were aged between 40 and 60 years. Those with a best corrected visual acuity of less than 6/12, astigmatism of more than 1.25D, and anisometropia of more than 0.5D were excluded. 516 particip ants had refractive error which was deemed suitable for correction by "off the shelf" spectacles. This represents 19.9% of all participants between 40 and 60 years of age. Provision of spectacles in 0.5D increments would prov ide suitable stock spectacles for 85.5% of a -3.0 to +3.0D range or 89.2% o f a -3.50 to +3.50D range. Conclusions-Ready made "off the shelf" spectacles could significantly allev iate visual morbidity due to refractive error in up to 20% of an urban popu lation in Australia. This approach may also be useful in developing countri es with poor access to optometric services.