Cross Sectional Claims Data Analysis on Myopia Epidemiology and Treatment Options in Germany

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiology and treatment data of Myopia in Germany is rare, especially of high myopia. This observational study explores the prevalence of myopia, its severity, and available treatment options for patients diagnosed with myopia.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, observational study of routinely collected statutory health insurance (SHI) claims data in Germany comprised of data from about 3.3 million insured persons. Individuals of all ages with an observed myopia diagnosis (ICD-10 H52.1) were included in each observation year between 2018 and 2021. A subgroup of patients with prescription lenses (<-6D) within a 5-year period, including the observation year, were identified as patients treated for high myopia. Prevalence (standardized by age and gender) and the extrapolated number of patients (to the German population) are reported.

RESULTS: In 2021, the highest prevalence of myopia was observed in the adolescent population (ages 13–17) at 9.6%. Prevalence in children (ages 0–12) and adults (ages 18+) was 2.7% and 6.0%, respectively. In adolescents with myopia, around 6.3 % had a prescription lenses (<-6D), indicating high myopia. Results were consistent across the other 3 years (2018–2020). Real myopia may be underrepresented in this data, since patients who directly contacted an optician might not use services provided by SHI (and therefore would not be documented in our data), as well as patients with low myopia, who may not seek healthcare at all.

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first claims data study in Germany that provides insights into myopia epidemiology and real-world treatment in these patients. Further differentiating myopia's severity might help identify patients at risk of developing high myopia, and to manage the disease and to allow for more timely disease management.