Prevalence and Burden of Self-reported Blindness, Low Vision, and Visual Impairment in the French Community

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment and its association with disabilities, handicaps, and socioeconomic consequences. Methods: A national survey was conducted on a random stratified sample of 359 010 French citizens living in the community; 21 760 subjects were selected at random and 16 945 persons (78%) agreed to further questioning. Four thousand ninety-one randomly selected caregivers were interviewed. Four subgroups of subjects were defined (blind or light perception only, low vision or still have form perception, other visual problems, and no visual problems). These were compared after adjustment for age, comorbidity, and household size differences. Results: The prevalence of blindness was 0.10% and of low vision, 1.94%. Subjects with blindness needed assistance with daily activities more often than subjects with no visual problems; they also needed more house modifications. Many subjects with blindness (46.8%) and subjects with low vision (29.0%) were registered for social allowances. Subjects with blindness had fewer paid activities (4.5%) than subjects with no visual problems (20.7%). Social allowances increased considerably (by €277) between those with low vision and those with blindness. Monthly household incomes were lower (PϽ.001) for subjects with low vision (€1255) and blindness (€1587) than for subjects with no visual problems (€1851). Main Outcome Measures: Collected data included social demography, home description, household income, handicaps, disabilities, social allowances, and daily activities. Conclusion: The results demonstrate associations between self-reported visual impairment and daily living.

Cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture–recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar demographics and health systems. Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% 11. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%)1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”

“…Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95%. 11 A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%) 1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence. Another study conducted in 2000 in Copenhagen, urban Denmark, also found a value for prevalence close to 1%.…”

Cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture–recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar demographics and health systems. Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% 11. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%)1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”

“…Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95%. 11 A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%) 1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence. Another study conducted in 2000 in Copenhagen, urban Denmark, also found a value for prevalence close to 1%.…”

<p>Large-scale assessment of needs in low vision individuals using the Aira assistive technology</p>

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A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture-recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar populations. Our results were also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% [11]. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI, 0.37-1.55) [1] that is similar to our study if we consider the normalized prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”

Cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture–recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar demographics and health systems. Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% 11. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%)1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”

“…Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95%. 11 A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%) 1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence. Another study conducted in 2000 in Copenhagen, urban Denmark, also found a value for prevalence close to 1%.…”

<p>Large-scale assessment of needs in low vision individuals using the Aira assistive technology</p>

“……”

“……”

A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture-recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar populations. Our results were also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% [11]. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI, 0.37-1.55) [1] that is similar to our study if we consider the normalized prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”

Cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture–recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar demographics and health systems. Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% 11. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%)1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”

“…Our results are also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95%. 11 A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI 0.37% to 1.55%) 1 that is similar to our study if we consider the standardised prevalence instead of the crude prevalence. Another study conducted in 2000 in Copenhagen, urban Denmark, also found a value for prevalence close to 1%.…”

<p>Large-scale assessment of needs in low vision individuals using the Aira assistive technology</p>

“……”

“……”

A cross-sectional study investigating the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in Northwest Portugal using capture-recapture

“…This was an expected result because both countries have similar populations. Our results were also in line with a French study reporting a prevalence of VI of 1.95% [11]. A study from Iceland reported a prevalence of 0.96% (95% CI, 0.37-1.55) [1] that is similar to our study if we consider the normalized prevalence instead of the crude prevalence.…”