Myopia in Australia
Australia presents a complex and clinically important myopia picture. The broad population has historically lower rates than East Asia, but Australia is home to the world's leading myopia research institutions and some of the most important long-term longitudinal studies. The Sydney Myopia Study is the reference dataset for cycloplegic school-age myopia prevalence in a primarily European-descent population. Crucially, Australian children of East Asian descent in the same environment approach East Asian prevalence rates.
The clinical picture
The Sydney Myopia Study (Rose KA et al., 2008) is one of the best-designed cycloplegic school-based myopia studies globally. Its finding that children who spent more time outdoors had significantly lower myopia rates — independent of near-work — provided strong evidence for the outdoor light hypothesis. Australian outdoor lifestyle has been proposed as a key reason why European-descent Australian rates are lower than European children in comparable academic environments.
Prevalence by group
| Population | Prevalence | Method & source |
|---|---|---|
| All Australian children aged 4–12 | ~18% | Cycloplegic; Sydney Myopia Study |
| East Asian-descent children | >60% | Cycloplegic; Sydney Myopia Study subgroup |
| European-descent children | ~10–15% | Cycloplegic; Sydney Myopia Study subgroup |
| General adult population | ~20–30% | Mixed; BHVI estimates |
Research leadership
The Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI) in Sydney is one of the world's most important myopia research organisations, having contributed to the development of orthokeratology lens designs and conducted foundational work on the epidemiology and mechanisms of myopia. The Sydney Myopia Study and the Multi-University Centre Study (MUCS) are among the most cited longitudinal paediatric myopia datasets globally.
Track myopia progression for your patients
Calculate axial length percentile vs Tideman 2018 normative data, progression rate, and projected adult prescription from two clinical measurements.
Open calculator →Rose KA et al. Outdoor activity reduces the prevalence of myopia in children. Ophthalmology. 2008;115(8):1279–1285. doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.12.019
Sydney Myopia Study — multiple publications 2003–2018.
BHVI Global Myopia White Paper. Brien Holden Vision Institute 2016.
National Academies of Sciences: Myopia: Seeing the Big Picture. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK550906
This page presents published epidemiological data — not primary measurements by MyopiaTracker. Figures carry the uncertainty of their source studies. This page does not constitute medical advice. MyopiaTracker is a decision-support tool — not a diagnostic device.