Changes in refractive trends and optical components of Hong Kong Chinese aged over 40 years.

The age trends of refractive errors, astigmatism and optical components were studied in 220 Chinese subjects aged over 40 years. Myopia did not dominate in this age group. With increasing age, the prevalence of hyperopia increases from 2% at age 40-45 years to 66% at age > 65 years. Against-the-rule astigmatism was more prevalent than the other types. Significant correlations were found between age and spherical equivalent power, age and vitreous depth and axial length. Sex differences were found among the optical components but not in the refractive error. Myopia appears to be more prevalent among the younger age groups than the older age groups of the Hong Kong Chinese population, and the importance of genetics in determination of refractive error is called into question by these findings.