Causes of visual impairment and blindness among the middle-aged and elderly in northern Jordan

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Abstract
Causes of bilateral low vision [BLLV] and bilateral blindness [BLB] were investigated among 720 outpatients aged > 45 years in Irbid, Jordan, between July 1999 and October 2000. All received full ophthalmic examinations. BLLV was defined as visual acuity < 6/18 but > 3/60 in the better eye; BLB as acuity < 3/60 in the better eye. The leading cause of BLB and BLLV was cataract. Refractive error was the second major cause of BLLV. Other common causes were diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Age-related macular degeneration was the single cause of BLB and BLLV for only 1.6% and 2.8% respectively. A population-based survey of BLB and BLLV in the elderly, yearly vision examinations and an ophthalmic education programme are recommendedCitation
Haddadin, A., Ereifej, I., Zawaida, F. & Haddadin, H. (2002). Causes of visual impairment and blindness among the middle-aged and elderly in northern Jordan. EMHJ - Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 8 (2-3), 404-408, 2002 https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/119179