Prevention key to reducing U.S. vision problems by 2030

WASHINGTON — An estimated 3.5 million people are nearly or completely blind in the United States today. This figure will double by 2030 if preventive measures in eye care are not taken, according to a report from the National Eye Institute and Prevent Blindness America.

“With the aging of the baby boomer population, age-related threats to sight are expected to nearly double by 2030. Nearly 2 million people will be completely blind by this time, and 3.2 million people will have extremely poor vision,” David S. Friedman, MD, MPH, principal investigator of the report, said here at the Vision Problems in the U.S. symposium on Capitol Hill yesterday.

The major eye conditions that will threaten sight are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy, according to the authors of the report.

“Recognizing this public threat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services will establish a national vision screening and education program in partnership with national voluntary health agencies,” the authors of the report said.

“Adult screening for glaucoma will be a primary focus of Prevent Blindness America,” said Eve J. Higginbotham, MD, a member on the board of that organization. “Detecting problems early on and alerting people at risk will help slow down this steadily increasing problem.”

One such initiative is already in place. A recently passed law will ensures the availability of glaucoma screening tests for seniors and those with disabilities who are covered by Medicare. Tests will include dilated eye exam, IOP measurement and slip-lamp examination.

“Under the new glaucoma screening detection law, screening will be provided to every individual under Medicare,” said Catherine G. Cohen, vice president of governmental affairs for the American Academy of Ophthalmology.