New Research: The Number of Older Americans with Visual Impairment or Blindness Is Expected To Double By 2050
This important u2013 and urgent u2013 research on the impact of age-related macular degeneration on older Latinos was published online first in JAMA Ophthalmology. Dr. Rohit Varma is co-author of a recent study on the impact of age-related macular degeneration on older Latinos.
About the Research
The number of people with visual impairment or blindness in the United States is expected to double to more than 8 million by 2050, according to researchers, who estimate that 1 million Americans were legally blind in 2015. Another 16.4 million are expected to have difficulty seeing due to refractive errors.
More about the study from JAMA Ophthalmology
In 2015, 1.02 million people in the United States were blind, and 3.22 million had visual impairment; these numbers are expected to double to 2.01 million by 2050. African Americans have the highest prevalence of visual impairment and blindness.
The Dilemma: How Can You Maintain Your Independence After Vision Loss?
There is no single “road map” that will help you regain self-sufficiency, improve your quality of life, or function independently, but there are many options available to help you find the right service for you.
Step 1: Start with your eye care professional
An ophthalmologist treats eye diseases, prescribes medications, and performs all types of surgery, whereas optometrists prescribe corrective glasses and contact lenses and perform certain surgical procedures.
Step 2: Have a low vision examination
Low vision optical devices, which are different from regular glasses and magnifiers, use lenses to magnify images so that objects or print appear larger to the eye. Adaptive daily living equipment includes devices designed to make everyday tasks easier for people with reduced or no vision.
Step 3: Investigate additional vision rehabilitation services
Vision rehabilitation services can help you function safely and independently in a number of key areas of daily life.
How many old people are visually impaired?
These figures are significant because the prevalence of sight loss rises with age; in the UK, nearly 1.5 million people aged 65 to 84, and another 580,000 people aged 85 and up, are blind [9].
Why are old people blind?
Uncorrected refractive errors, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy are the leading causes of blindness in the elderly.
How much of the human population is blind?
In 2015, an estimated 253 million people worldwide had visual impairment, with 36 million blind and 217 million having moderate to severe visual impairment (MSVI). The prevalence of people with distance visual impairment is 3.44%, with 0.49% being blind and 2.95% having MSVI.
What causes low vision in the elderly?
Because age-related eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy are the most common causes of low vision, it is strongly associated with the elderly.
How do you know an older person has sight loss?
When people lose their vision, they frequently report difficulties reading small print, cooking, mobility, taking medication, and recognising faces, as well as changes in their visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and visual field.
What is the most common vision problem in the elderly?
By the age of 65, one out of every three people has some form of vision-reducing eye disease. The most common causes of vision loss among the elderly are age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy.
What is the leading cause of blindness in older adults?
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s lens that is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Cataracts can develop at any age and can even be present at birth due to a variety of factors.
What age does eyesight start to deteriorate?
Presbyopia occurs when the lens inside the eye loses its ability to change shape after the age of 40, making it more difficult to focus on objects up close. This is due to the lens inside the eye losing its ability to change shape, a process known as presbyopia.
Can blindness be cured?
While blindness and macular degeneration have no cures, scientists have sped up the process of finding one by visualizing the inner workings of the eye and its diseases at the cellular level.
Who is the most famous blind person?
Helen Adams Keller (fig. 1), an American author, political activist, and lecturer, was perhaps the most well-known blind person.
What do blind people see?
A person with total blindness will be unable to see anything; however, a person with low vision may be able to see not only light, but also colors and shapes; however, they may have difficulty reading street signs, recognizing faces, or matching colors to each other.
How can elderly help vision problems?
Helping a Senior with Low Vision: Tips and Products
- Keep surroundings well-lit but be aware of glare.
- Take Steps to Reduce Fall Risks.
- Improve Household Organization.
- Embrace Contrasting Colors.
- Think Bigger.
- Collaborate with a Low Vision Specialist.
What is the treatment of low vision?
Low vision is usually permanent, and eyeglasses, medicine, and surgery can’t always cure it u2014 but they can sometimes help you see better, do everyday tasks more easily, or prevent it from getting worse.
Is 20 70 considered legally blind?
“Legally blind” means the person has visual acuity no better than 20/200 with conventional correction and/or a restricted field of vision less than 20 degrees wide. “Partially sighted” means the person has visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 with conventional prescription lenses.