Eye health and well-being are on the verge of suspense among citizens.

Myopia (37%), astigmatism (36%), and presbyopia (31.2%) are consolidated as the main ocular pathologies diagnosed among Spaniards, according to the results of the 5th Miranza Eye Health and Well-being Barometer, presented at the Madrid headquarters of IMO Grup Miranza. According to data from the survey of one million people, less than half of those affected underwent medical or surgical treatment—except in the case of glaucoma (62%)—despite the high rate of eye problems. In this context, dependence on visual aids is high: 73% regularly wear glasses and 17% wear contact lenses.

The most frequent visual symptoms are blurred vision and sensitivity to light (33% in both cases), followed by irritation, itching, the sensation of vision loss, and dry eyes, which affect more than a third of the population. Tearing is the symptom that causes the most discomfort to those who suffer from it (12% of those surveyed).

How do habits influence it and what are the daily limitations?

Reading a mobile phone and going up and down stairs are two of the most common activities and those that cause the most difficulties if you don't have good vision. Forty-six percent say their vision hinders their ability to drive, and 43% say it affects their work. It also interferes with their social life (33%) and sports practice (21%). Similarly, 66% of participants agree that good vision makes them enjoy life more, while eye problems generate insecurity, frustration, sadness, or dependence on others. However, only a minority have their eyesight checked annually, although 90% recognize the importance of taking care of it, and 74% advocate the advisability of annual eye exams, especially after the age of 40.

Regarding personal daily habits, only 41% believe they influence eye health. Most people attribute vision problems to genetics (64%) or pollution (58%), but few link eye health to modifiable factors such as tobacco and alcohol (36%), diet (34%), or physical exercise (18%). However, they do value the importance of rest (51%).

According to the Miranza Group study, worries and stress also have a direct impact on vision: those who report high levels of stress or sleep little rate their eye health up to 10 points lower than those who live with less stress or get enough rest. Furthermore, sedentary people are less satisfied with their eye health compared to active people (71% vs. 82%).

Dry eye, the pending issue

If we analyze the level of satisfaction with treatments, only half of patients treated for dry eye are satisfied with the results, compared to more than 80% of those who undergo cataract or refractive surgery. These data are striking because, according to the survey, 27% of the population suffers from dry eye, and it increasingly affects young people and adolescents as a direct consequence of using screens.

Tearing, for its part, is one of the most uncomfortable eye conditions. Therefore, the Miranza Group advocates for the creation of specialized units for advanced dry eye treatment, staffed by experts and highly technological equipment, offering proven and effective techniques to improve the level of satisfaction and quality of life of those who suffer from it.

The pattern repeats itself.

The ocular well-being index for this fifth wave of the Barometer is 5.23 out of 10. "A fair pass," the company explains, dropping to 4.86 in the 41-64 age group, and to 4.84 in those over 65. Young people between 26 and 40 years old are the ones who value their visual health the most: more than 50% consider it good or excellent, compared to 30% of the other two age groups analyzed. On average, only 37% believe they have good eye health.

Since the Barometer was launched, the index has not changed much: in 2022 it was 5.24; in 2023 it dropped to 5.22; and in 2024, to 5.20. The objective of the quantitative and qualitative study is to raise awareness of the ocular health of Spaniards. For now, the data show a repeating pattern, consolidating a "silent epidemic" of symptoms and vision problems.