Age-Specific Changes in the Prevalence of Best-Corrected Visual Impairment in an Italian Population

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate changes in the prevalence of visual impairment in an Italian population from 1988 to 2000. Methods: Standardized ophthalmologic examinations were administered to citizens of Ponza, Italy aged 40–87 years in 1988 and 2000. Visual Acuity (VA) was measured using a standard logarithmic chart. Visual fields (VF) were tested in all subjects with diagnosed or suspected glaucoma or hereditary degenerative retinopathy. Visual impairment was classified as blindness (VA > 1.3 LogMAR or VF < 10° around central fixation) or low vision (VA > 0.5 to 1.3 LogMAR or VF < 20° to 10°) according to WHO criteria. Results: The prevalence of binocular total visual impairments decreased significantly among 64–75 year-olds (from 6.7% to 2.6%, p = 0.045), and almost significantly among 40–51 year-olds (from 2.4%, 95% CI 1.1–5.3, to 0.0%, 95% CI 0.0–1.3). By 2000, visual impairment was no longer significantly associated with female gender, and age 64–75 years; the mean age of subjects with vision-impairing cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or age-related macular degeneration had risen significantly. Conclusions: A decline in the prevalence of visual impairment, particularly in cataract-associated visual impairment was found in the middle-aged groups. The progression of age-related eye diseases seems to have slowed in this population possibly due to improvements in the life expectancy and socio-economic conditions.

Keywords:

• Best-Corrected Visual Impairment
• Prevalence
• Age-Specific
• Changes