Verblindung

Verblindung is the German term for blindness or severe visual impairment. In medical and everyday language it denotes substantial loss of visual function, which may be complete (no light perception) or partial but disabling. In clinical contexts vision is assessed by acuity and field; in legal or social contexts an individual may be classified as legally blind if acuity falls below defined thresholds or if the visual field is severely restricted.

Causes are classified as congenital or acquired. Common congenital causes include optic nerve hypoplasia and congenital cataracts. Acquired blindness results from cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, optic neuropathies, and traumatic injuries. Some conditions affect one eye (monocular blindness), while others affect both eyes (bilateral blindness).

Diagnosis and assessment rely on ophthalmologic examination: visual acuity testing, refraction, slit-lamp examination, intraocular pressure measurement, and a dilated fundus exam with imaging as needed. Visual field testing and color vision assessment help determine the extent of impairment and guide management. Determining the underlying cause is important for prognosis and treatment planning.

Treatment and management depend on the cause. Reversible conditions such as cataracts may be treated with surgery. Glaucoma, AMD, and diabetic retinopathy may require medications, laser therapy, or injections and sometimes surgery. When vision cannot be restored, rehabilitation and assistive devices—such as magnifiers, screen-reading software, and mobility training—support independence. Public health measures focus on preventing avoidable blindness through access to eye care, screening, vaccination, and management of systemic risk factors.