Blindness and Vision Loss Spike by 23 Percent in the U.S.
American Academy of Ophthalmology Urges Seniors to Save Their Sight Through Prevention and Early Detection
(firmenpresse) - SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/12/12 -- Blindness and vision impairment are on the rise in the United States. A recent report by Prevent Blindness America indicates that, since the year 2000, incidence of blindness and vision impairment has increased by 23 percent among Americans age 40 and older.(1) However, most blindness in this country is preventable with proper eye care. The and urge Americans to get regular eye exams to better prevent and detect sight-stealing eye diseases.
Rising rates of age-related eye diseases and conditions are largely to blame for the increase in vision loss. Four of the most common causes of vision loss are , where blood vessels in the retina swell or become blocked due to diabetes; , a breakdown of the eye's macula; , an eye disease that damages the optic nerve; and , in which the eye's lens becomes clouded. These conditions have shown a marked increase over the past 12 years:
The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy increased by 89 percent.
The frequency of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) increased by 25 percent.
The incidence of glaucoma increased by 22 percent.
The number of people affected by cataracts increased by 19 percent.(2)
As baby-boomers continue to age, the incidence of age-related eye disease is also expected to continue to increase. Currently, people age 80 and older constitute only 8 percent of the population, but account for 69 percent of all cases of blindness.(3) Early detection and treatment by an -- an eye medical doctor -- may help prevent and in some cases, such as cataracts, even reverse vision loss.
Many seniors age 65 and older may qualify for an eye exam and up to 1 year of care at no out-of-pocket-cost through , a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. EyeCare America matches qualifying patients age 65 and older with an ophthalmologist who provides a comprehensive medical eye examination. EyeCare America is co-sponsored by the Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Inc, with additional support from Alcon. To see if you or a loved one is eligible, visit the online referral center at .
"Regular eye exams are imperative to detect and treat eye diseases and prevent serious vision loss," said Richard P. Mills, M.D., chairman of EyeCare America. "This is especially true for people age 65 and older who are at increased risk for eye diseases. That's why EyeCare America is so focused on providing access to eye care, and we hope that fewer people will suffer from preventable causes of blindness as a result."
To learn more about EyeCare America or to find out if you or a loved one qualifies for the program, visit . Learn more about eye diseases and conditions, and keeping your eyes healthy at .
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons -- -- with more than 32,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three "O's" -- It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform eye surgery. For more information, visit . The Academy's EyeSmart® public education program educates the public about the importance of eye health and empowers them to preserve their healthy vision, by providing the most trustworthy and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. Visit to learn more.
Established in 1985, EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is committed to the preservation of sight, accomplishing its mission through public service and education. EyeCare America provides year-round eye care services to medically underserved seniors and those at increased risk for eye disease through its corps of nearly 7,000 volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to serving their communities. More than 90 percent of the care made available is provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the patients. Since its inception, EyeCare America has helped more than 1.7 million people. More information can be found at: .
(1) Prevent Blindness America, Vision Problems in the U.S. Report, June 2012. Accessed at .
(2) Prevent Blindness America, Vision Problems in the U.S. Report, June 2012. Accessed at .
(3) National Eye Institute
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Datum: 12.09.2012 - 21:04 Uhr
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