Report shows substantial increase in eye disease since 2000

A report released by Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute indicates the number of people age 40 years and older with vision impairment and blindness has increased by 23% since 2000.

The 2012 update of the Vision Problem in the U.S. study was conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and estimates cases of age-related eye conditions and their prevalence.

“It’s no surprise that the numbers of those affected by eye disease are continuing to climb, especially due to the aging baby boomer population,” Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America, said in a press release from the organization. “What is exceptionally concerning is the dramatic spike in diabetic retinopathy cases, a consequence of the diabetes epidemic that this county is experiencing with no end in sight.”

Diabetic retinopathy experienced an 89% increase since 2000, for an estimated total of 7.7 million people aged 40 years and older.

The prevalence of cataracts increased 19%, and glaucoma experienced a 22% increase in those 40 years and older. Age-related macular degeneration increased 25% in people aged 50 years and older.

A preliminary update on the 2007 Economic Impact of Vision Problems report from Prevent Blindness America shows a $1 billion increase in costs related to visual impairment and blindness. The full report on the economic impact will be released at a later date.

The Vision Problems in the U.S. report is available at preventblindness.org/visionproblems. Users can access information on eye diseases and conditions by state, age, sex and race.