Blindness ‘will affect 115 million people by 2050’

A new study has indicated that cases of blindness are set to become more common on a global basis between now and 2050.

The Anglia Ruskin University research analysed the prevalence of blindness and vision impairment in 188 countries between 1990 and 2015, as well as providing projections for the coming decades.

It was estimated that the number of cases of blindness will rise to 115 million by 2050. Currently, 36 million people are blind across the world, but this is expected to increase significantly due to the ageing population.

Additionally, the number of people with moderate to severe vision impairment has risen from 160 million in 1990 to 217 million in 2015, with a further increase to 588 million expected by 2050.

This study was the first to include figures on presbyopia – a condition affecting the ability to read, which is associated with ageing – with the accompanying commentary calling for action to be taken in developing regions to prevent the problem from escalating.

Professor Rupert Bourne, of Anglia Ruskin's vision and eye research unit, said: "With the number of people with vision impairment accelerating, we must take action to increase our current treatment efforts at global, regional and country levels."

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