Gender Disparities in the Global Burden of Refractive Disorders in Children: An Analysis From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate gender disparities in the global burden of refractive disorders in children younger than 15 years by year, age, and national developmental status using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Methods: Global, regional, and national gender-specific DALY numbers and rates of refractive disorders in children were obtained by year (from 1990 to 2019) and age group (0 to 4, 5 to 9, and 10 to 14 years) from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Data from the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index in 2019 as an indicator of national developmental status were extracted from the Human Development Report. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were performed to explore the association between female-to-male DALY rate ratios and national developmental status. Results: Gender disparities in DALY numbers and rates of refractive disorders in children have persisted and shown little improvement from 1990 to 2019. Girls had a higher burden than boys of the same age, and gender disparities increased with age (1.120 in preschool children aged 0 to 4 years, 1.124 in younger school-aged children aged 5 to 9 years, and 1.135 in older school-aged children aged 10 to 14 years). Female-to-male DALY rate ratios were negatively related to Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index values (standardized b = −0.189, P < .05). Conclusions: Gender disparities in the global burden of refractive disorders in children have persisted for decades, with girls who are older and from lower-income countries having a higher burden than boys. Gender-specific health policies should be made to manage refractive disorders in children. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 2024;61(1):51–58.]