Age, Gender, and Socio-demographic Disparities in Near Vision Loss: A Global Burden of Disease Study Focusing on Belt and Road Countries

Background Near vision loss (NVL), primarily resulting from presbyopia and other age-related conditions, significantly reduces quality of life and imposes a substantial global economic burden. However, research on NVL’s prevalence and determinants remains limited, particularly in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries. This study aims to analyze the disease burden and temporal trends of NVL in BRI countries. Methods Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 (GBD 2021) study, we examined age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) and age-standardized years lived with disability rates (ASYLDR) for NVL across BRI countries from 1990 to 2021. Analyses were stratified by Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) quintiles, and joinpoint regression was employed to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in disease burden from 1990 to 2021. Results Between 1990 and 2021, South Asia (ASPR: 20,747.02/10 ⁵ ; ASYLDR: 208.01/10 ⁵ ) and East Asia (ASPR: 15,509.26/10 ⁵ ; ASYLDR: 157.57/10 ⁵ ) recorded the highest ASPR and ASYLDR, while Western Europe reported the lowest (ASPR: 5,912.94/10 ⁵ ; ASYLDR: 59.38/10 ⁵ ). Among BRI countries, the Philippines, Nepal, and India exhibited the highest NVL burden, whereas Malaysia reported the lowest. NVL prevalence and YLDs increased with age, peaking at ages 60–64 and 55–59, respectively. Additionally, ASPR and ASYLDR were negatively correlated with SDI (R = -0.467 and R = -0.462, p < 0.01). Conclusions NVL burden varies across BRI countries based on age, gender, and SDI level. Older women in low SDI regions are particularly at risk. International collaboration, public health outreach, and targeted interventions are essential to reduce the global NVL burden.