Global estimates of visual impairment: 2010

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Visual impairment represents a significant global health burden.
• Understanding the magnitude and causes of visual impairment is crucial for effective public health interventions.
• The International Classification of Diseases version 10 provides current definitions for visual impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the global magnitude and causes of visual impairment in 2010.
• To analyze visual impairment data by World Health Organization (WHO) region.
• To identify the primary causes of visual impairment and blindness.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of published and unpublished surveys from 2000 to the present was conducted.
• Imputation methods, considering country economic status, were used for countries lacking direct data.
• Data from 39 countries met the inclusion criteria for the study.

Main Results:

• An estimated 285 million people worldwide were visually impaired in 2010, including 39 million who were blind.
• Individuals aged 50 years and older constituted 65% of the visually impaired and 82% of the blind population.
• Uncorrected refractive errors (43%) and cataract (33%) were the leading causes of visual impairment, while cataract was the primary cause of blindness (51%).

Conclusions:

• Visual impairment in 2010 remains a major health concern with significant regional disparities.
• A substantial proportion, up to 80%, of the global burden of visual impairment is attributed to preventable causes.
• Targeted interventions addressing refractive errors and cataracts can significantly reduce the global impact of visual impairment.