Sehbehinderung - gesundheitliche Auswirkungen, Kosten und Prognosen

Zusammenfassung

Eine Sehbehinderung führt zu erhöhter Morbidität im Alter und erhöht das Sterberisiko. Neueste Studien weisen außerdem darauf hin, dass die mit Sehbehinderung und Blindheit assoziierten Kosten in Industrieländern wahrscheinlich weitaus höher sind, als bisher angenommen. Ohne erfolgreiche Interventionen wird sich die Zahl Sehbehinderter weltweit in den nächsten 20 Jahren aufgrund steigender Bevölkerungszahlen und einer steigenden Lebenserwartung verdoppeln. Sollte es nicht zu einer bedeutenden weltweiten Reduzierung vermeidbarer Sehbehinderung und Blindheit kommen, hätte dies enorme soziale und ökonomische Folgen. Im Kontrast dazu steht, dass drei Viertel aller Fälle von Sehbehinderung vermeidbar und damit unnötig sind. Das Problem Sehbehinderung verdient eine weitaus höhere Aufmerksamkeit in der Bevölkerung sowie auf politischer Ebene.

Abstract

Vision Impairment in the elderly is significantly related to increased morbidity as well as mortality rates. Recent studies suggest the true costs associated with visual impairment and blindness to be much higher than reported previously. Without successful interventions the number of visually impaired or blind people world-wide will double within the next 20 years. The lack of a significant world-wide reduction in avoidable visual impairment and blindness would have substantial social as well as economical consequences. In contrast, three-quarters of all visual impairments are avoidable and therefore unnecessary. In summary, vision Impairment deserves a higher degree of attention by the public as well as from governments.

Schlüsselwörter

Sehbehinderung - Blindheit - Prävalenz - Morbidität - Mortalität - direkte Kosten - indirekte Kosten

Key words

Vision impairment - blindness - prevalence - morbidity - mortality - direct costs - indirect costs

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