Cataract global burden of adolescents and young adults between 1990 and 2021: Analyses of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Purpose To investigate the trend of cataract burden in individuals aged 15 to 39 years from 1990 to 2021. Methods This cross-sectional study leveraged data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The analysis included prevalence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates, along with the associated estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs), assessed at the global level and categorized by sex, sociodemographic index (SDI), geographic region, and country. Results In 2021, the global age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) was 51.095 per 100,000. From 1990 to 2021, the ASPR decreased by 5.615% (95% UI, −12.772 to 1.747%), with an EAPC of −0.379 (95% CI, −0.442 to −0.316). The age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) in 2021 was 5.541 per 100,000, decreasing by 20.498% (95% UI, −25.969 to −14.292), with an EAPC of −0.959 (95% CI, −1.041 to −0.877). The reductions in EAPC for ASPR and ASDR were more pronounced in males than in females. The high-SDI region exhibited the greatest increase in the EAPC of ASPR (0.219, 95% UI, 0.096 to 0.342) and generally remained stable in the EAPC of ASDR (0.024, 95% UI, −0.135 to 0.183). However, the low-middle-SDI region showed the greatest decrease in ASPR (EAPC: −1.246, 95% UI, −1.325 to −1.167) and ASDR (EAPC: −1.889, 95% UI, −1.974 to −1.804). Central Europe had the sharpest rise in both ASPR and ASDR among the 21 geographic regions, while South Asia saw the steepest decline. At the country level, the Central African Republic exhibited the largest increase, while Equatorial Guinea showed the greatest decrease in both ASPR and ASDR. Conclusion Over the past 32 years, the global burden of cataracts among adolescents and young adults has decreased; however, it remains a significant public health concern worldwide. Cost-effective and targeted strategies are needed to alleviate this burden.