[Blindness in Germany: dimensions and perspectives].

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.