[Epidemiology of diabetes-induced blindness -- a review].

BACKGROUND

In the declaration of St. Vincent of 1989 the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) aimed at a reduction of diabetes-induced blindness in Europe by one third within five years. Despite that, proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy (PDVR) and diabetic macular edema (DME) continue to be the leading causes for diabetes-induced legally defined blindness in working-age adults in western industrialized nations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An analysis of literature of recent years is performed to give an overview over prevalence and incidence of diabetic blindness in Western industrialised countries. Data from literature is compared to new data collected in the German State of Hessen.

RESULTS

Both our own data and data from literature show a constant to slightly decreasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes-related blindness.

CONCLUSIONS

The aims of the St. Vincent declaration of 1989 have not been attained so far. Diabetes-related ocular diseases continue to be treated only after onset of symptoms. Effective screening programs for prevention, which would entail tremendous saving of Public Health expenditure, are an exception.