True or False: The visually impaired population has a low incidence of refractive error.

True or False: The visually impaired population has a low incidence of refractive error.

• A. true
• B. false
• C. unclear
• D. not applicable

Answer: (B)

Refractive error is a common, modifiable contributor to vision impairment, and it is not correct to say the visually impaired population has a low incidence of refractive error. Many individuals who are visually impaired still have a refractive component—often uncorrected—that can improve acuity with proper glasses or lenses. While other ocular diseases may be the primary cause of impairment in some cases, the presence of refractive error is not rare in this group, so the claim of a low incidence is inaccurate. On the other hand, there is evidence that even with correction some individuals’ vision remains limited due to underlying pathology, which is why refractive error is just one piece of the broader picture of visual impairment.

Refractive error is a common, modifiable contributor to vision impairment, and it is not correct to say the visually impaired population has a low incidence of refractive error. Many individuals who are visually impaired still have a refractive component—often uncorrected—that can improve acuity with proper glasses or lenses. While other ocular diseases may be the primary cause of impairment in some cases, the presence of refractive error is not rare in this group, so the claim of a low incidence is inaccurate. On the other hand, there is evidence that even with correction some individuals’ vision remains limited due to underlying pathology, which is why refractive error is just one piece of the broader picture of visual impairment.