Causes of blindness in the adult population of the Republic of Ireland

Abstract

Background/aim-Blindness in the developed countries aVects 3.5 million people. This study was conducted on the causes of blindness in the Republic of Ireland based on the register of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. The aim was to determine the prevalence of potentially avoidable blindness and to identify its causes. Method-Criteria for registration as blind are in Ireland: best corrected visual acuity of 6/60 (0.1) or less in the better eye or a visual field restricted to 20 degrees or less. Data on 5002 adults 16 years an older registered as blind were analysed. The causes of blindness are classified in 17 diagnostic categories. Results-The leading causes of blindness are macular degeneration and glaucoma, each accounting for 16% (812 and 795). Cataract accounted for 11% (561), a third of these had an associated cause of blindness and one tenth had a cognitive deficit. Diabetic retinopathy ranked as the 11th cause of blindness and accounted for 3% (147). More than half of the patients were 65 years and older. Conclusion-25% of blindness was potentially avoidable. The treatable causes were glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy in the working population and glaucoma and cataract over 65 years of age. Glaucoma is the most important, which raises the question of a screening programme. The prevalence of blindness of 3% due to diabetic retinopathy is lower than in most other series. (Br J Ophthalmol 1998;82:630-633)

Identification of independent risk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy requiring treatment

“…Diabetic retinopathy is a frequent cause of visual impairment in the Western world (Munier et al 1998;WHO 2008). The risk of developing the sightthreatening consequences of the disease can be reduced if the lesions are detected (Younis et al 2003a(Younis et al , 2003b and can be reduced if retinal lesions are detected by ophthalmoscopy or fundus photography before irreversible damage to retinal function has developed (1978; Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) Group 1981; Ferris et al 1987;Kaufman et al 1989).…”

The incidence of visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy in Leeds

“…22 Data from different regions regarding the incidence of diabetic retinopathy related blindness are scarce in the literature. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The few studies that are available do not allow direct comparisons between regions as differing measurement parameters have been used. The National Screening Committee has estimated the incidence of Table 4 Guidelines for blind and partial sighted (BD8) Registration…”

Nanoemulsion as a Potential Ophthalmic Delivery System for Dorzolamide Hydrochloride

“…Glaucoma is a serious eye disorder characterized by an increase in the intraocular pressure which leads gradually to loss of vision due to damage of the optic disk, usually without symptoms and is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide (8)(9)(10). It is believed that glaucoma is a result of an imbalance between aqueous humor secretion and drainage processes within the ocular chamber (11).…”