title: Epidemiology of eye diseases and infrastructure of ophthalmology in Poland.
abstract: Untreated eye diseases are the leading cause of blindness in the world. Most people suffering from visual impairment is in the age group above 50 years of age. As many as 82% of people in this group is suffering from eye diseases.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this work was to present the epidemiology of eye diseases and state of infrastructure of ophthalmology in Poland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on data by WHO prepared review of world and Polish literature on issues in the field of ophthalmology and epidemiology of eye diseases. On the analysis developed epidemiological situation of the most common eye diseases--cataract, glaucoma and AMD--leading to loss of vision in Poland. Using databases CSIOZ, the Central Statistical Office and WHO listed infrastructure resources of ophthalmology in Poland.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main eye diseases leading to blindness indicated cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. In 80% of cases, vision loss can be avoided by early detection and treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention and early detection is an essential tool for reducing the incidence of blindness, especially in elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Organization, Health Economics and Hospital Management.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Partyka
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Postgraduate Education National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw.
authors.forename: Mirosław J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wysocki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000592:standards*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*