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Diabetic retinopathy among Americans older than 40 years may triple by 2050
Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(12);1740-1747.
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Growing diabetes rates will likely yield a marked increase in cases of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts among Americans age 40 years and older by 2050.
The projections were based on U.S. Census Bureau data and the National Health Interview Survey.
Researchers found that the number of diabetic retinopathy cases among Americans age 40 years and older with known diabetes may rise from 5.5 million in 2005 to 16 million in 2050. Cases of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy may increase from 1.2 million to 3.4 million.
Among people age 65 years and older, cases of diabetic retinopathy may increase from 2.5 million in 2005 to 9.9 million in 2050; cases of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy may increase from 500,000 to 1.9 million.
Cases of cataracts among whites and blacks age 40 years or older may rise 235% by 2050. The number of glaucoma cases among Hispanics age 65 years and older may multiply 11 to 12 times.
The findings may prove useful in the development of treatment and development strategies.
"These projections should be helpful to public health policy makers preparing to meet the future demand for vision-related health care among Americans with diabetes and attempting to develop interventions to prevent or delay vision loss in this population," the study authors said.