Most Americans report that, of all disabilities, loss of eyesight
would have the greatest impact on their daily life, according to a
recent survey by the NIH's National Eye Institute (NEI). Vision loss
ranks ahead of loss of memory, speech, arm or leg, and hearing. After
all, 80 percent of the sensory information the brain receives comes from
our eyes.
Still, it may be surprising to learn that losing eyesight is not a normal part of aging. What's more, the NEI reports that most cases of blindness can be prevented through early detection and treatment of eye diseases.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the National Eye Institute (NEI). Its research and funding have helped prevent and treat eye diseases and vision disorders and enabled great strides in the understanding of eye health. Still, tens of millions of people of all ages suffer vision loss from very common, correctable conditions because they don't understand their own eyes.
Blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over. That's one person in 28, according to one recent NEI-funded study. This figure is projected to reach 5.5 million by the year 2020. Low vision and blindness increase significantly with age, particularly in people over age 65. People 80 years of age and older currently make up 8 percent of the population, but account for 69 percent of blindness.
"As vision research advances, we are finding newer and better ways to detect and treat eye diseases," says NEI Director Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D. "Programs that educate people about early detection and treatment will become even more important."
Still, it may be surprising to learn that losing eyesight is not a normal part of aging. What's more, the NEI reports that most cases of blindness can be prevented through early detection and treatment of eye diseases.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the National Eye Institute (NEI). Its research and funding have helped prevent and treat eye diseases and vision disorders and enabled great strides in the understanding of eye health. Still, tens of millions of people of all ages suffer vision loss from very common, correctable conditions because they don't understand their own eyes.
Blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over. That's one person in 28, according to one recent NEI-funded study. This figure is projected to reach 5.5 million by the year 2020. Low vision and blindness increase significantly with age, particularly in people over age 65. People 80 years of age and older currently make up 8 percent of the population, but account for 69 percent of blindness.
"As vision research advances, we are finding newer and better ways to detect and treat eye diseases," says NEI Director Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D. "Programs that educate people about early detection and treatment will become even more important."
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