[Epidemiology of blindness in Baden, Germany].

BACKGROUND

There is no exact knowledge concerning blinding diseases in Germany. Purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of diseases leading to new blindness in Baden (Southern Germany).

METHODS

We evaluated the ophthalmological diseases leading to blindness in Baden from the applications presented to the eye doctor for blind and low vision people in Baden, Germany from 1980 to 1999.

RESULTS

1511 applications for blindness (991 women and 520 men) aged 1-107 (mean age: 68 +/- 22 years) were evaluated. 62.5% of persons who had recently become blind, concerned patients aged 70 years or older, 4.6% under 10 years of age. Age-related macular degeneration (23.1%), glaucoma (22.0%), optic atrophy (19.1%), diabetic retinopathy (13.3%) and tapetoretinal degeneration (8.1%) were the main causes of blindness. There were only minimal changes over time.

DISCUSSION: There were only marginal changes of the frequency of the eye diseases causing blindness for the time interval from 1980 to 1999. Age-related macular degeneration is the major cause especially in the higher age group. There are enormous deficits in the prevention of causes of visual impairment and blindness.