RESUMO
Causes of bilateral low vision (BLLV) and bilateral blindness (BLB) were investigated among 720 outpatients aged > 45 years in Irbid, Jordan, between July 1999 and October 2000. All received full ophthalmic examinations. BLLV was defined as visual acuity < 6/18 but > 3/60 in the better eye; BLB as acuity < 3/60 in the better eye. The leading cause of BLB and BLLV was cataract. Refractive error was the second major cause of BLLV. Other common causes were diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration was the single cause of BLB and BLLV for only 1.6% and 2.8% respectively. A population-based survey of BLB and BLLV in the elderly, yearly vision examinations and an ophthalmic education programme are recommended.
Assuntos
Cegueira/epidemiologia , Cegueira/etiologia , Transtornos da Visão/epidemiologia , Transtornos da Visão/etiologia , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Cegueira/diagnóstico , Cegueira/prevenção & controle , Catarata/complicações , Causalidade , Retinopatia Diabética/complicações , Feminino , Glaucoma/complicações , Hospitais Militares , Humanos , Jordânia/epidemiologia , Degeneração Macular/complicações , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação das Necessidades , Oftalmoscopia , Vigilância da População , Prevalência , Encaminhamento e Consulta , Erros de Refração/complicações , Transtornos da Visão/diagnóstico , Transtornos da Visão/prevenção & controle , Seleção Visual , Acuidade VisualRESUMO
Causes of bilateral low vision [BLLV] and bilateral blindness [BLB] were investigated among 720 outpatients aged > 45 years in Irbid, Jordan, between July 1999 and October 2000. All received full ophthalmic examinations. BLLV was defined as visual acuity < 6/18 but > 3/60 in the better eye; BLB as acuity < 3/60 in the better eye. The leading cause of BLB and BLLV was cataract. Refractive error was the second major cause of BLLV. Other common causes were diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration was the single cause of BLB and BLLV for only 1.6% and 2.8% respectively. A population-based survey of BLB and BLLV in the elderly, yearly vision examinations and an ophthalmic education programme are recommended