Millions of Americans diagnosed with age-related vision problems
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Posted on Apr 06, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Age-related eye disease currently affects millions of Americans and the number is continuing to grow, new research has shown.
Age-related eye disease currently affects millions of Americans and the number is continuing to grow, new research has shown.
Latest findings from Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute reveal that more than 30 million people aged over 40 in the US suffer from leading causes of loss of vision including cataract, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and glaucoma.
Revised data shows that among Americans aged 40 and above, the number of age-related macular degeneration increased by 25 per cent since 2002 with two million Americans receiving a diagnosis.
Daniel D Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America, commented: "Our research shows that vision loss continues to threaten the quality of life for millions of Americans.
"Our challenge continues to be education, whether it be convincing the public to practice regular eye care or by convincing our government leaders that millions of precious healthcare dollars can be saved through prevention services."
The leading cause of blindness worldwide, cataract, currently affects 22.3 million American adults.
