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Vision Loss from Eye Diseases Will Increase as Americans Age: Vision Research Is The Key to Prevention

With the aging of the population, the number of Americans with major eye diseases is increasing. By the year 2020, the number of people who are blind or have low vision is projected to increase substantially. An estimated 80 million Americans are at risk of getting eye diseases that can lead to low vision and even blindness. These findings, which appear in the April, 2004 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, identify age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy as the most common eye diseases in Americans age 40 and over. Worldwide, researchers utilize this data to identify where their research efforts should be directed.

The following information provides an up-to-date overview of research studies aimed at improving vision and preserving eyesight advances:

UV radiation in sunlight, including both UV-A and UV-B, has been shown to be harmful to the eye. Constant exposure to bright sunlight has been linked to the development of cataracts, and can damage the eye's cornea, the lens and retina. Research has found that the best defense for everyone is to wear sunglasses that screen 99 to 100 percent of UV rays and brimmed hats. Children need protection as well, and are actually more susceptible to UV damage, because the tissues in their eyes are more translucent. Choose well-fitted sunglasses and a hat to shade the face.

Advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects 1.8 million Americans age 40 and older. Recent research has show that lutein supplements may help improve vision for people who have "dry" AMD - the most prevalent form of the disease. The artificial silicon retina chip, currently still in investigative stages, has shown some promise in helping people with AMD, as well as other retina diseases, regain some vision.

Cataract affects over 20 million Americans age 40 and older. Prior to the mid-1980's, surgeons did not have a way to extract the cataract without damaging or removing the capsule. Today, the phacoemulsification technique allows the surgeon to implant an intraocular lens (IOL) into a capsule that remains intact after the cataract is removed. In addition, technology is currently being developed to produce a non-surgical method to change to power of the originally implanted IOL. These new research advances have boosted the success rate of cataract surgery in the U.S. to 95%.

Diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes, affects 4.1 million Americans age 40 and older, and is the leading cause of blindness among American's working-age population. At present, the most effective treatment is called panretinal photocoagulation in which a laser beam seals off new (damaging) vessels from forming in the retina. Laser surgery, however, cannot cure diabetic retinopathy, and cannot always prevent further vision loss. As a result, several laser treatments may be necessary over time. Individuals with diabetes also have a higher risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma

Glaucoma affects 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older, and is three times more common in African Americans. Treatment for glaucoma has improved greatly in the last decade. Prostaglandin analogues, the newest class of glaucoma drug, were introduced in the U.S. in 1996, and have proven to be quite effective. While there is no cure, glaucoma is usually a treatable condition, if diagnosed early.

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