한국인에서의 연대별 실명원인의 추이

Abstract

The papers which met standards for blindness study were reviewed retrospectively to make the standard data about the change of blindness causes in Korea. Total 13 journals were included. Locations were classified as urban and rural area. The periods were classified as 1960 years, 1970 years, and 1980 years. Total number of patients examined reached upto 251,385. The change of blindness-causes was as followed; Cataract and retinal disease showed increasing tendency and cornea disease decreasing tendency. The retinal disease became the second cause of blindness in 1980 years. We guessed it may be partially attributed to increased patients of systemic diseases like diabetes mellitus and geriatric diseases in these periods. Ocular trauma was major factor of blindness in Korea. Prevalence of blindness due to trauma peaked in 1970 years. It was the same period of rapid industrialization in Korea. Trauma was much more in urban area than rural area. The most common cause of trauma was due to objects and other causes included accidents, chemical, heat, boiling water and radiation. We have left systematic data for the causes of blindness much to be desired until now and the standarized blindness survey is required in Korea.