Risk for Age-Related Eye Disease Increasing in U.S.

"The number of Americans at risk for age-related eye diseases is increasing as the baby-boomer generation ages." That's the start of the Introduction for the fourth edition of "Vision Problems in the U.S." as published by Prevent Blindness America. "These conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, affect more Americans than ever before. Disturbingly, the number of Americans with age-related eye disease and the vision impairment that results is expected to double within the next three decades. As of the year 2000 census, there were more than 119 million people in the United States in this age group. The table on the following pages provides an overview of the U.S. population age 40 and older by race and sex." Get the report and to see the table, click this link.

Another take on the study: "A study from Johns Hopkins University is showing an increasing number of vision impairment problems and blindness in those over 40. The report released today by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows a surprising 23% increase since 2000," according to a Medical News Today post. "The preliminary update to the 2007 Prevent Blindness America Economic Impact of Vision Problems report, pegs the problem as costing an extra $1 billion in medical care, informal care and health-related quality of life. Further cost data and a full updated report on the economic impact of vision problems will be available in the near future." Read more.