H Buch, T Vinding, M D la Cour, N V Nielsen
National University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Department of Ophthalmology E 2061, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
Purpose: To study the prevalence and causes of bilateral visual impairment and blindness in an epidemiological study of aged, urban individuals in Denmark.
Methods: Data originated from a cross-sectional eye survey conducted during the years 1986-1988. The study population consisted of 1000 randomly selected residents aged 60 to 80 years in Copenhagen, Denmark. The participants underwent an extensive ophthalmologic examination. A participation rate of 96.9% was achieved. Visual impairment was defined as a best-corrected visual acuity in the better eye (VA) between 20/40 and 20/200. Blindness was defined as VA of 20/200 or worse.
Results: The age-standardized prevalences of visual impairment and blindness were 2.90% and 1.06%, respectively, and the prevalence rates rose significantly with increasing age. Cataract was the most frequent cause (50%) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was the second most frequent cause (34.40%) of visual impairment. Among persons aged 65 to 69 years diabetic retinopathy was equally important as AMD and cataract as a cause of visual impairment. AMD was the leading cause of blindness, accounting for 60% of all blind persons. Glaucoma, myopic macular degeneration, cataract and retinitis pigmentosa were jointly the second most common cause, each accounting for 10% of all bilaterally blind persons.
Conclusion: Visual impairment and blindness were associated with increasing age. Cataract and AMD were the leading causes.
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