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Blindheit in Deutschland: Dimensionen und Perspektiven

Blindness in Germany: dimensions and perspectives

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Zusammenfassung

Blindheit und Sehbehinderung werden in Deutschland und dem Rest der westlichen Welt in den nächsten Jahren und Jahrzehnten weiter ansteigen. Durch die aktuelle demographische Entwicklung ist v. a. die Erblindung und Sehbehinderung des höheren Lebensalters stark zunehmend. Die momentane Situation ist in Deutschland weniger gut dokumentiert als in anderen europäischen Ländern. Auswirkungen dieser Entwicklung haben sowohl individuelle als auch gesellschaftliche Dimensionen, von denen Lebensqualität, Morbidität und Mortalität sowie Kosten am besten dokumentiert sind. Aufgrund der soziokulturellen Bedeutung des Sehens sind die Auswirkungen dieser Entwicklung bei einer stetig alternden Bevölkerung von enormer Bedeutung und sollten bei gesundheitspolitischen Entscheidungen und Allokation von Ressourcen entsprechend berücksichtigt werden. Aus denselben Gründen sollten Präventions- und Rehabilitationsangebote weiter ausgebaut werden.

Abstract

Blindness and visual impairment in Germany and the Western world will increase further over the coming years and decades. This is primarily due to current demographic trends leading to increased visual impairment, mainly in the elderly. In Germany the current situation of the blind and visually impaired is less well documented than in other European countries. The impact of this development can be differentiated into individual and societal dimensions, of which quality of life, morbidity, mortality, and cost are the best-documented aspects. Because of the socioeconomic and cultural importance of vision in Western society, the negative effects of an increase in blindness and visual impairment in a continuously aging population are considerable. Healthcare policy makers need to consider this when discussing future planning and resource allocation. Preventive and rehabilitative services should be given a much higher priority.

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  1. Universitätsaugenklinik Bonn, Ernst-Abbe-Straße 2, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland

    R.P. Finger

  2. Centre for International Health, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australien

    R.P. Finger

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Finger, R. Blindheit in Deutschland: Dimensionen und Perspektiven. Ophthalmologe 104, 839–844 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00347-007-1600-3

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