Number of adults and children certified with sight impairment and severe sight impairment in England and Wales: April 2011–March 2012

1Introduction

The certificate of vision impairment (CVI)was introduced in England in September 2005 and in Wales in April 2007. It is used by Consultant ophthalmologists to formally certify a person as either severely sight impaired (SSI; blind) or sight impaired (SI; partially sighted).

The Certifications Office, based at MoorfieldsEyeHospital in London, undertakes annual collection and analysis of epidemiological data contained on the CVI form. The work is conducted under the remit of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

This research briefing presents the findings from analysis of the CVI data in Englandand Walescovering the period 2011 to 2012. The briefing is the forth in a series of reports examining of CVI data. The research is conducted under the auspices of an RNIB research grantawarded to MoorfieldsEyeHospital to support the ongoing analysis of CVI data.

2Method

The method used to collect and analyse the CVI data is described in detail in CVI Report No 3: Number of adults and children certified with sight impairment and severe sight impairment in England and Wales: April 2010–March 2011.

In brief, the Certification Office at MoorfieldsEyeHospitalqueried the CVI database to retrieveall certificates with dates of certification between 1st April 2011 and 31st March 2012. The variables under examination were:

  • Country of certification: England or Wales;
  • Visual status: SSI, SI or unrecorded;
  • Age group: 0–17 years, 18–64 years, 65–74 years, 75years and over;
  • Diagnosis (coded using the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10).

The total number of certifications and number of certificationsdue to AMD, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease were calculated for all ages in England and Wales.

Crude rates of certification were based on 2011 Census: Population Estimates by five-year age bands, and Household Estimates, for Local Authorities in the United Kingdom(published 27 March 2013).

3Key messages from the research

3.1Certification figures

During the year ending 31st March 2012, the total number of CVIs in England was23,616. Compared with the same 12-month period in 2010 to 2011, this was anincrease of 1115 certificates. The CVIs in Englandcomprised:

  • 22,239adult (18 years and above) certifications, of which 9,840 (44 per cent) were certified SSI and 11,982 (54per cent) were certified SI (417did not specify visual status).
  • 1,281child (0 to 17 years old) certifications of which 603(47per cent) were certified SSI and 656(51per cent) were certified SI (22did not specify visual status).

The total number of CVIs in Walesfrom April 2011 to March 2012 was 1,463. This was an increase of 38certifications compared with the same period in 2010 to 2011. The CVIs in Walescomprised:

  • 1,398adult (18 years and above) certifications of which699(50per cent) were certified SSI and 663(47per cent) were certified SI (36did not specify visual status).
  • 62child (0 to 17 years old) certifications of which 34per cent were certified SSI and 61per cent were certified SI;5 per cent of forms did not specify visual status.

3.2Certification and age

As in previous years, the age profiles of certification weresimilar for England and Wales. Approximatelyfiveper cent of certificationswere children and young people aged0 to 17 years.People aged 75 years and over represented the vast majority of those certified, accountingfor nearly two-thirdsof all certifications. Adults aged 18 to 64 years old accounted for approximately one-in-five certifications.

The percentages of certifications for each age group are given here:

  • 0–17 years:five per cent in England and four per cent in Wales;
  • 18–64 years: 22per cent in England and 20per cent in Wales;
  • 65–74 years: 10per cent in England and 10per cent in Wales;
  • 75 years and over: 62per cent in England and 65per cent in Wales.

3.3Certification and diagnosis: all ages

Certifications in England indicated the following diagnoses:

  • AMDwas the cause of sight loss–that is either the main cause or a contributory cause where multiple causes were listed – in approximately 42per cent of all certifications;
  • Glaucomawas the causeof sight loss –either the main cause or a contributory cause where multiple causes were listed –in approximately 15per cent of certifications;
  • Diabetic eye diseasewas the cause– either the main cause or a contributory cause where multiple causes were listed –in approximately 7per cent of certifications.

Certifications in Wales indicated the following diagnoses:

  • AMD was the causeof sight loss – either the main cause or a contributory cause where multiple causes were listed – in approximately 47per cent of all certifications;
  • Glaucoma was the cause of sight loss –that is either the main cause or a contributory cause where multiple causes were listed –in approximately 17 per cent of certifications;
  • Diabetic eye disease was the cause – either the main cause or a contributory cause where multiple causes were listed –in approximately 6per cent of certifications.

4In Summary

During the period 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2012, the total number of people in England certified blind or partially sighted was23,616. The crude rate of certification was 44.5 per 100,000 of the population.

The total number of certifications in Walesin 2011 to 2012was1463, resulting in a crude rate of certification of 47.8 per 100,000 of the population.

As with previous years, older adults comprise the majority of individuals certified with a visual impairmentin England and Wales. The majority of people were certified sight impaired.

AMD continues to belargest cause of certification in England and Wales.A large number of adults continue to lose their sight due to preventable causes, such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.

5Acknowledgements

The Certifications Office at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust performed the collection and analysis of the CVI data.

Office for National Statistics provides estimates of resident population,under the Open Government Licence v1.0.

6Further information

For more information about RNIB research please visit

For more information about the work of the Certifications Office at MoorfieldsEyeHospital visit

© RNIB, 2013

Registered charity number 226227

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