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Blindness, partial sight and visual impairment
Demographic changes and improvements in health care are leading to an increasingly elderly population and longer life expectations. The population in the over-65 group is expected to increase by 24% by 2020. This would include an increase of approximately 23% within the 65-74 group and 25% in the 75+ groups.
Visual impairment affects all age groups but predominantly older people, so the demand for preventative and treatment services for people with visual problems, and services to support them once they have chronic illness, will increase. In 1998 there were approximately 8.3 million people over the age of 65 in England and Wales. Over half of these, some 4.3 million, had impaired vision (<6/12) in one or both eyes. Of these approximately 20% will have had impaired vision in both eyes. The projected incidence of visual impairment will rise by approximately 35% by the year 2020.
Major conditions
Cataract - There are currently more than 34,000 patients waiting over three months for cataract treatment. By the age of 75, a quarter of all people will have developed a cataract.
Glaucoma - Chronic glaucoma is a common potentially blinding disorder requiring lifelong care once the diagnosis is made. The prevalence of glaucoma rises from 1-2% of the over-40s to 5% of the over-75s.
Low vision - Approximately 306,500 people in England are registered blind or partially sighted. Only an estimated 50% of those eligible to register actually do so. The majority of people eligible to register are likely to have low vision (an estimated 80%). A further third can be added to these numbers for people with low vision who are not eligible to register. This equates to an estimated 650,000 people in England with low vision.
Age-related macular degeneration - ARMD is the most common cause of irremediable serious visual loss in people over 65 years of age. Macular degeneration also accounts for 14% of new partial sight and blind registrations for the working population (aged 16-64).
The above information is taken from The First Report of the National Eye Care Steering Group.
There are presently over 5,000 people registered as blind or partially sighted in Leeds. Given the above figure that only 50% of people register, this would imply that over 10,000 in Leeds suffer from some kind of visual impairment and probably some 12,000 - 13,000 have low vision.
Registration and services
People with a considerable loss of sight may be able to be registered as blind or partially sighted. See your GP to start the process. Some services are only available if you are registered.
Equipment and training is provided by Rehabilitation Officer s who work for the Social Services Department.
They will also give information about other services available which can include free travel, specialist library services, grants towards the cost of holidays, decorating and advice about social security benefits.
The Rehabilitation Officer for visually impaired people from Social Services can visit you at home. Ring 0113 214 4544 for further information.
See also Information for blind users and Dealing with sight loss.