Hyman Goldstein

Survivorship and causes of death among the blind

Abstract A follow-up study of 11,732 persons first registered as legally blind in Massachusetts during the 20-year period 1940–1959, was conducted in order to determine survival rates, sight-restored rates and probabilities of dying from major causes of death for the blind. Blind persons experienced poorer survivorship than expected at all ages up to 75, with little if any difference apparent at ages 75 and over. Marked differences were noted for asges 25–64. Survival rates for persons with diabetes as the cause of blindness were extremely low in comparison with the general population. Diabetes and heart disease were the two causes of death among the blind that especially showed large excesses in mortality over the expected rates. Sight-restored rates were in general rather low. Throughout, findings were similar for males and females. Data were also compared with material in two previous studies. Limitations in the present study were discussed and further research suggested.