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Review
. 2013 Dec;1(6):e339-49.
doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70113-X. Epub 2013 Nov 11.

Causes of vision loss worldwide, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis

Rupert R A Bourne  1 , Gretchen A Stevens  2 , Richard A White  3 , Jennifer L Smith  4 , Seth R Flaxman  5 , Holly Price  6 , Jost B Jonas  7 , Jill Keeffe  8 , Janet Leasher  9 , Kovin Naidoo  10 , Konrad Pesudovs  11 , Serge Resnikoff  12 , Hugh R Taylor  13 ; Vision Loss Expert Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Free article
Review

Causes of vision loss worldwide, 1990-2010: a systematic analysis

Rupert R A Bourne et al. Lancet Glob Health. 2013 Dec.
Free article

Abstract

Background: Data on causes of vision impairment and blindness are important for development of public health policies, but comprehensive analysis of change in prevalence over time is lacking.

Methods: We did a systematic analysis of published and unpublished data on the causes of blindness (visual acuity in the better eye less than 3/60) and moderate and severe vision impairment ([MSVI] visual acuity in the better eye less than 6/18 but at least 3/60) from 1980 to 2012. We estimated the proportions of overall vision impairment attributable to cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, trachoma, and uncorrected refractive error in 1990-2010 by age, geographical region, and year.

Findings: In 2010, 65% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 61-68) of 32·4 million blind people and 76% (73-79) of 191 million people with MSVI worldwide had a preventable or treatable cause, compared with 68% (95% UI 65-70) of 31·8 million and 80% (78-83) of 172 million in 1990. Leading causes worldwide in 1990 and 2010 for blindness were cataract (39% and 33%, respectively), uncorrected refractive error (20% and 21%), and macular degeneration (5% and 7%), and for MSVI were uncorrected refractive error (51% and 53%), cataract (26% and 18%), and macular degeneration (2% and 3%). Causes of blindness varied substantially by region. Worldwide and in all regions more women than men were blind or had MSVI due to cataract and macular degeneration.

Interpretation: The differences and temporal changes we found in causes of blindness and MSVI have implications for planning and resource allocation in eye care.

Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Fight for Sight, Fred Hollows Foundation, and Brien Holden Vision Institute.

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Comment in

  • Worldwide reduction in blindness: making progress?
    Casson RJ. Casson RJ. Lancet Glob Health. 2013 Dec;1(6):e311-2. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70140-2. Epub 2013 Nov 11. Lancet Glob Health. 2013. PMID: 25104584 No abstract available.
  • We urge WHO to act on cytomegalovirus retinitis.
    Heiden D, Saranchuk P, Tun N, Audoin B, Cohn J, Durier N, Holland G, Drew WL, 't Hoen E. Heiden D, et al. Lancet Glob Health. 2014 Feb;2(2):e76-7. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70174-8. Epub 2014 Jan 23. Lancet Glob Health. 2014. PMID: 25104662 No abstract available.

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