Causes of blind certification in an Italian province and comparison with other European countries.
OBJECTIVE
Low vision and blindness are significantly growing in both industrialized and developing countries. In Italy there are few epidemiological studies that provide data on this phenomenon. In this paper we report the main causes of blindness and the characteristics of the subjects who obtained a disability certification due to blindness in an Italian province.


METHODS
Disability certificates issued by the Civil Blind Provincial Commission of the Viterbo province over a 2-year period (2002-2003) were analysed. The causes of blindness and the age of occurrence were investigated and divided into 12 groups.


RESULTS
The four most frequent causes of blindness were age related macular degeneration (19%), cataract (14%), glaucoma (15%) and diabetic retinopathy (15%). The main eye pathology which caused partial blindness was age related macular degeneration (22.3%). Glaucoma (19.6%) was the main cause of total blindness.


CONCLUSIONS
The estimates of blindness were based on certification for visual impairment with limited characteristics as our data was exclusively administrative. However, a general appraisal of the magnitude and causes of visual impairment was determined. This is important towards planning appropriate preventive and management measures.
Cruciani
F
F
Department of Ophthalmological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, IAPB-International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Italian Branch, Rome, Italy. filippo.cruciani@tin.it
Abdolrahimzadeh
S
S
Vicari
A
A
Amore
F M
FM
Di Pillo
S
S
Mazzeo
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D055815:Young Adult