Abstract
A recent review of the causes and prevalence of low vision and blindness world wide is lack-ing. Such review is important for highlighting the causes and prevalence of visual impairment in the different parts of the world. Also, it is important in providing information on the types and magnitude of eye care programs needed in different parts of the world. In this article, the causes and prevalence of low vision and blind-ness in different parts of the world are reviewed and the socio-economic and psychological implications are briefly discussed. The review is based on an extensive review of the litera-ture using computer data bases combined with review of available national, regional and inter-national journals. Low vision and blindness are more prevalent in the developing countries than in the developed ones. Generally, the causes and prevalence of the conditions vary widely in different parts of the world and even within the same country. World wide, cataract is the most common cause of blindness and low vision among adults and elderly. Infectious diseases such as trachoma and onchocerciasis result-ing in low vision and blindness are peculiar to Africa, Asia and South America. Hereditary and congenital conditions are the most common causes of low vision and blindness among chil-dren worldwide.
Highlights
There are many low vision and blind people worldwide, and there is a considerable amount of data available on the prevalence of low vision and blindness in many parts of the world
Following a review of available data, Watkins[3] estimated that there were about 40 million people (0.7%) who are blind worldwide and predicted an annual increase of about two million. In both developing and developed countries, the prevalence of low vision and blindness increases with age, among people over 60 years of age. This is due to age-related eye diseases such as cataract, macular degeneration et cetera, which have high prevalence among this age group
Cataract constitutes a major cause of blindness and low vision among adults and elderly in many parts of the world, while genetic and perinatal conditions were the most common cause of childhood blindness
Summary
There are many low vision and blind people worldwide, and there is a considerable amount of data available on the prevalence of low vision and blindness in many parts of the world. In 1995, the World Health Organization (WHO) Task Force on data on blindness estimated that there were 37.1 million blind people worldwide, indicating a global prevalence of 0.7 percent[1]. Following a review of available data, Watkins[3] estimated that there were about 40 million people (0.7%) who are blind worldwide and predicted an annual increase of about two million. In both developing and developed countries, the prevalence of low vision and blindness increases with age, among people over 60 years of age. A review of available data on prevalence of low vision and blindness in various regions of the world is presented below
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