Population-based eye health surveys are an important source of evidence describing the eye health needs of a population, although differences in participation rates between population groups may lead to response bias. In some high-income settings, participation in surveys has decreased over time, although whether this has occurred for eye health surveys is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare participation in population-based eye health surveys conducted over the previous ~20 years between country income levels and different population sub-groups. The data published here was used in the analysis and reporting of the study results.