title: Global burden of eye and vision disease as reflected in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Eye and vision disease burden should help guide ophthalmologic research prioritization. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2010 compiled data from 1990 to 2010 on 291 diseases and injuries, 1160 disease and injury sequelae, and 67 risk factors in 187 countries. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) is a resource for systematic reviews in health care, with peer-reviewed systematic reviews that are published by Cochrane Review Groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether systematic review and protocol topics in the CDSR reflect disease burden, measured by disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), from the GBD 2010 project. This is one of a series of projects mapping GBD 2010 medical field disease burdens to corresponding systematic reviews in the CDSR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two investigators independently assessed 8 ophthalmologic conditions in the CDSR for systematic review and protocol representation according to subject content. The 8 diseases were matched to their respective DALYs from the GBD 2010 project.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews systematic review and protocol representation and percentage of total 2010 DALYs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 8 ophthalmologic conditions were represented by at least 1 systematic review in the CDSR. A total of 91.4% of systematic reviews and protocols focused on these conditions were from the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group. Comparing the number of reviews and protocols with disability, only cataract was well matched; glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other vision loss were overrepresented. In comparison, trachoma, onchocerciasis, vitamin A deficiency, and refraction and accommodation disorders were underrepresented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results prompt further investigation into why certain diseases are overrepresented or underrepresented in the CDSR relative to their DALY. With regard to ophthalmologic conditions, this study encourages that certain conditions get more focus to create a better representation of what is causing the most disability and mortality within this research database. These results provide high-quality and transparent data to inform future prioritization decisions.
authors.affiliation: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Lindsay N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Boyers
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Chante
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karimkhani
authors.affiliation: Cochrane Editorial Unit, The Cochrane Collaboration, London, England.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hilton
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Richheimer
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver6Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver7Department of Dermatology, Denver Veterans Administratio.
authors.forename: Robert P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Dellavalle
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*