Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42709891›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Understanding visual impairment trends in the Gulf Council Countries: An analysis from 1990 to 2021 and time-series predictions for 2030.

Ahmed Saad Al Zomia, Saeed T Alshahrani, Ibrahim Ali Al Zehefa, Abdullah Jallwi Korkoman, Ahmed Abdullah Alamoud, Mazen Abdullah Alqahtani, Mahmoud Tarek Mirdad, Mohammed Tarek Mirdad, Raad Ahmed A Alnami, Faisal Nasser M Alahmari and 2 more

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Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Ahmed Saad Al ZomiaAsir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7850-7229
Saeed T AlshahraniOphthalmology Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim Ali Al ZehefaFaculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah Jallwi KorkomanDepartment of Ophthalmology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed Abdullah AlamoudSaudi German Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Mazen Abdullah AlqahtaniPediatric Ophthalmology Department, KKESH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mahmoud Tarek MirdadFaculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Tarek MirdadFaculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Raad Ahmed A AlnamiMuhayil Health Sector, Muhayil General Hospital, Aseer Health Cluster, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Faisal Nasser M AlahmariOphthalmology Department, Aseer Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Saad Ali AlshahraniFaculty of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
Sultan Abdulrahman AlyaliRiyadh First Health Cluster, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis research investigates blindness prevalence trends in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 1990 to 2021 and provides projections up to 2030. The study aimed to inform public health planning, policy formulation, and healthcare delivery in the region.

methodsUsing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we conducted a time-series analysis applying AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models to evaluate age-standardized prevalence rates and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for blindness. Country-specific and gender-specific were analyzed. Forecasts for 2022-2030 were generated and validated against observed data.

resultsBetween 1990 and 2021, most GCC countries exhibited declining trends in blindness prevalence. Bahrain's rate decreased from 13,498.2 to 12,884.7 per 100,000, Kuwait from 12,873.8 to 12,881.4, Saudi Arabia from 14,207.2 to 14,166.8, and the UAE from 11,905.9 to 11,869.6. Oman and Qatar showed relative stability with minor fluctuations. Gender disparities were consistent, with higher prevalence among females in all countries except the UAE. DALYs also declined across the region, with Saudi Arabia reporting the highest burden. Forecasts for 2022-2030 indicate continued reductions in most countries, though Oman may experience a moderate increase.

conclusionsThe findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies, improved healthcare infrastructure, and gender-sensitive interventions to address visual impairment in the GCC. Continuous monitoring and international collaboration are essential to sustain progress and mitigate future burdens.

Indexed as

BlindnessBahrainDisability-Adjusted Life YearsFemaleForecastingHumansKuwaitMaleMiddle EastOmanPrevalenceQatarSaudi Arabia

Identifiers

PMID42709891
PMCPMC13552931

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.