Abstract
Purpose::
To estimate the population-based incidence rates of blindness registration and their trends over time in the Israeli adult population.
Methods::
We performed a retrospective review of the data on bilateral blindness in adults ≥ 40 years of age registered with the Association of the Blind of Israel between 1996-2005. The causes of blindness were ascertained and the incidence rates of blindness due to various causes were calculated.
Results::
A total of 18666 blind certificates were examined. The most commonly recorded cause of blindness was age-related macular degeneration (AMD), followed by glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. From 1996 to 2005, the annual incidence of registered bilateral blindness decreased significantly at an average rate of 4.8% per year (P<0.0001). Glaucoma blindness significantly decreased at an average rate of 8.1% per year (p>0.0001), but there were no similar changes in the incidence of AMD blindness (1% rise per year, p =0.17) or diabetic retinopathy blindness ( 1% decrease per year, p=0.62).
Conclusions::
Advances in treatment management of ocular pathology has led to a significant decrease in the number of adults with glaucoma-associated bilateral blindness in Israel from 1996 to 2005.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • diabetic retinopathy • age-related macular degeneration