Cedrone C, Nucci C, Scuderi G, Ricci F, Cerulli A, Culasso F
Physiopathological Optics, Department of Biopathology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Eye (Lond). 2006 Jun;20(6):661-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.eye.6701934. Epub 2005 May 27.
The scientific literature contains recent data on the prevalence of blindness and low vision for a few European countries, but most of these studies have been focused exclusively on the elderly sector of the populations. The purpose of the present study was to provide age-specific estimates of the prevalence and causes of visual loss in an Italian population aged 40 years and over.
In total, 847 of the 1,200 citizens >40 years of age (70.6%) in the island community of Ponza underwent complete standardized ophthalmological examinations. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using a standard logarithmic chart. World health organization (WHO) definitions of blindness and low vision were adopted (respectively, VA>1.3 logMAR or a visual field <10 degrees around central fixation, and VA >0.5 to 1.3 logMAR or a visual field <20 degrees around central fixation). Prevalence rates based on presenting VAs were also calculated.
The overall best-corrected prevalence rates were 0.6% (presenting, 0.8%) for better eye blindness, 2.1% (presenting, 6.7%) for better eye low vision, 1.8% (presenting, 2.6%) for monocular blindness, 5.0% (presenting, 11.2%) for monocular low vision. Cataract, glaucoma, degenerative myopia, and AMD were the main causes of better eye visual loss.
Age-specific prevalence rates in Ponza are fairly consistent with those for other European countries with similar socio-economic conditions and public healthcare systems. A substantial percentage of visual losses remains uncorrected despite the availability of potentially curative therapy. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on educating the public regarding the importance of good vision.
科学文献包含了一些欧洲国家失明和视力低下患病率的近期数据，但这些研究大多仅关注老年人群体。本研究的目的是提供意大利40岁及以上人群视力丧失患病率和病因的年龄特异性估计。
蓬扎岛社区1200名40岁以上公民中，共有847人（70.6%）接受了完整的标准化眼科检查。使用标准对数视力表测量视力。采用世界卫生组织（WHO）对失明和视力低下的定义（分别为，最佳矫正视力>1.3 logMAR或中心注视周围视野<10度，以及最佳矫正视力>0.5至1.3 logMAR或中心注视周围视野<20度）。还计算了基于就诊时视力的患病率。
最佳矫正视力的总体患病率为：较好眼失明0.6%（就诊时为0.8%），较好眼视力低下2.1%（就诊时为6.7%），单眼失明1.8%（就诊时为2.6%），单眼视力低下5.0%（就诊时为11.2%）。白内障、青光眼、变性近视和年龄相关性黄斑变性是较好眼视力丧失的主要原因。
蓬扎岛的年龄特异性患病率与社会经济条件和公共医疗系统类似的其他欧洲国家相当一致。尽管有潜在的治愈性治疗方法，但仍有相当比例的视力丧失未得到矫正。需要更加重视对公众进行良好视力重要性的教育。
