Visual impairment, blindness in an aging society

Abstract

AbstractPurpose We face a global growth in the prevalence of age related sight loss and yet services even in well developed countries in Europe, do not currently meet the rehabilitation needs of elderly blind. Nearly 25% of people in the European Union will be over the age of 65 by 2030. It is currently estimated that there are 12 million visually impaired older people in Europe and this is set to grow. The prevalence of serious sight loss increases exponentially with age, from 3.27% between 60 and 69 years up to 15% between 80 and 89 years. We need to think about how we meet the needs of the older old.Methods Both the European and World Blind Union’s have supported expert groups looking to bring together knowledge and expertise in this area. Collaborative working across member countries has both raised the profile of age related sight loss and led to a better understanding of service design.Results Current practice in the field of vision rehabilitation is primarily geared to meeting the needs of younger blind and partially sighted people. The vast majority of blind and partially sighted people in Europe are: female, over the age of 85 years, living alone and with useful residual sight. They often live with co‐morbid conditions such as memory loss, impaired hearing and other frailties of older age.Conclusion Services firstly need to be designed around an understanding of co‐morbidity and partnership with those having expertise in the care of older people. They should encourage and facilitate maximum use of residual vision working on the key principles of size, lighting and tonal contrast. Above all they should help to address the major challenge of social isolation, resulting from living alone with a serious sight loss.