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[The present state of blindness in the world]
1Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 3-1-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8431, Japan.
Purpose:
To investigate the present state of blindness around the world.
Methods:
The article reviews significant studies by WHO and literature on the topic.
Results:
Current global estimates indicate that blindness affects close to 45 million people, with nine out of ten blind people living in developing countries. Two-thirds or more of all blindness is avoidable, in that the causes are preventable or treatable. Cataract is the major cause of blindness in the world and the number of cases is increasing. The second cause is glaucoma, and the third is trachoma. The extent of disability of blindness itself is very high compared to that of other illnesses. Also, in terms of the burden of diseases in society, blindness is a relatively huge problem in the developing world.
Conclusions:
Intervention should be focused on the factors that have the higheat possibility of change. Manpower development is the most important countermeasure. The aid required to support developing countries is what can make them stand on their own in long term ophthalmic care.