Age-related Insights for Boomers
Dr. David J. Demko, Gerontologist
AgeVenture News Service 04-09-03
More Americans than ever are facing the threat of blindness from age-related eye disease,
says a new report from the National Eye Institute which addresses the nation's leading
causes of vision impairment and blindness. Just how bad is the problem? Over one million
Americans aged 40 and over are currently blind and over 2 million more are visually
impaired. Wait. It gets worse. These numbers are expected to double over the next 30 years
as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Here's the point. It's about time to brush up on your
eye health. Learn the facts, get regular check-ups, and continue your eye health vigilance
so you won't become another statistic. Read all the facts and figures in the new comprehensive
report, "Vision Problems in the US" which discusses the prevalence of adult vision impairment
and age-related eye diseases in America. The report was released by the National Eye Institute
in partnership with another public service organization, Prevent Blindness America.
"Blindness and visual impairment from most eye diseases and disorders can be reduced with
early detection and treatment," U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson.
"That's why eye health education programs that encourage those at high risk for eye disease
to have regular dilated eye exams are essential in preventing vision loss."
The director of the National Eye Institute, Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., called for an
increase in public attention to eye disease. "About one in eight Americans is 65 or older,"
Dr. Sieving said. "When you add declining mortality rates and population shifts, such as
the baby boomers, the number of older people will grow dramatically in the years ahead."
The new report addresses the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the U.S.,
which are diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma.
- Diabetic retinopathy
leading cause of blindness in the U.S. for people ages 25 - 74.
This disease is a common complication of diabetes.
Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak, or become blocked and impair vision.
The risk increases with age and duration of diabetes.
People with diabetes should get annual dilated eye exams.
Laser surgery and a procedure called a vitrectomy are highly effective.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
most common cause of blindness and vision impairment for Americans 60-plus.
Primarily affects the part of retina responsible for sharp central vision.
Two forms: dry AMD and wet AMD which damage central vision.
No generally accepted treatment for dry AMD.
Laser therapy destroys leaking blood vessels in wet AMD.
Combination of zinc, vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene may reduce risk by 25%.
- Senile Cataract
leading cause of blindness affecting 20 million Americans 65-plus.
Clouds eye's naturally clear lens appearing with advancing age.
Risk factors: increasing age, smoking, diabetes, and excessive exposure to sunlight.
By age 80, more than half of all Americans develop cataract.
- Glaucoma
2 million Americans diagnosed, and another 2 million don't know they have it.
Causes gradual damage to the optic nerve, that carries visual information to brain.
Loss of vision is not experienced until a significant nerve damage has occurred.
Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored.
Most cases slowed or halted by timely diagnosis and treatment.
The Vision Problems in the U.S. study was the result of a 2001 consensus meeting, convened
by the National Eye Institute and involving many of the world's leading ophthalmic
epidemiologists.
A copy of the full report is available in downloadable format at: www.preventblindness.org
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and
safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight.
Downloadable copies of the full report are also available at: www.nei.nih.gov/eyedata
The National Eye Institute (NEI) is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is
the Federal government's lead agency for vision research.
Image credit: National Eye Institute, Washington, D.C.
See related articles in AgeVenture Headline News.
See related articles in AgeVenture Lifestyle News.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
BACK TO TOP
Dr. Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America. Submit comments to:
demko@demko.com
This column may be used, free-of-charge, by print and broadcast media
with the following attribution:
"David Demko, AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com"
Please see AgeVenture "Permission to reprint" policy.
AgeVenture News Service, 19432 Preserve Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33498 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
Voice-mail: 561-482-6271. E-mail: demko@demko.com
