Silver Book

Vision Loss  /  Human Burden

More than 38 million Americans age 40 and older are blind, visually impaired, or have an age-related eye disease, and adult vision loss costs our economy more than billion a year. With major advances in vision research bringing new prevention and treatments, it is critical that support for research and incentives for innovation remain a priority. The Alliance for Aging Research has teamed up with the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR) during their Decade of Vision, to release Volume II of The Silver Book®:Vision Loss. Volume II brings updated data on vision loss in older Americans, as well as the exciting changes and discoveries in vision research and treatment.

 

Categories

66 Matching Facts

Search matching Facts:
No results to display
    • Quality of Life Impact Top Concern from Vision Loss Among Individuals Polled
      “Quality of life” ranked as top concern by non-Hispanic Whites (73%), and Asians (68%)–when asked to consider various possible consequences of vision loss.  African Americans (66%) and Hispanics (63%) ranked…  
    • Losing eyesight potential for greatest impact on day-to-day life poll finds
      Poll finds losing eyesight as potentially having greatest impact on day-to-day life–more than other conditions including loss of limb, memory, hearing, and speech (57% of African Americans polled, 49% of non-Hispanic…  
    • In 2015, an estimated 1 million Americans were legally blind.
       
    • DR Quality of Life
      A quality of life survey of legally blind DR patients found that 41% would be willing to trade their remaining years for perfect vision.  
    • Percent of Blindness in 2010 Due to DR by Region
       
    • World Blindess from DR
       
    • DR, A Leading Cause of Blindess
      DR is the one of the leading causes of blindness.  
    • More than 2.7 million Americans age 40 and older have glaucoma—2,719,379.  
    • More than 7.6 million Americans age 40 and older have diabetic retinopathy—7,685,237.  
    • More than 2 million Americans age 50 and older have age-related macular degeneration (AMD)—2,069,403.  
    • Age-related eye diseases are the primary causes of vision impairment and blindness in the U.S.  
    • An estimated 2,907,691 Americans age 40 and older have vision impairment.  
    • An estimated 1,288,275 Americans age 40 and older are blind.  
    • An estimated 4,195,966 Americans age 40 and older have vision impairment and blindness—1,288,275 are blind and 2,907,691 have vision impairment.  
    • An estimated 4,195,966 Americans age 40 and older have vision impairment and blindness—1,288,275 are blind and 2,907,691 have vision impairment.  
    • An estimated 4,195,966 Americans age 40 and older have vision impairment and blindness—1,288,275 are blind and 2,907,691 have vision impairment.  
    • Surgical procedure to relieve pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients
      A common surgical procedure to relieve pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients where other treatments have not been effective, was found to increase the risk of cataract formation by…  
    • Medicare beneficiaries with vision loss from glaucoma are significantly more likely to be placed in a nursing home and to develop depression, 67% more likely to fracture a femur, and…  
    • Glaucoma is responsible for 3 out of every 4 cases of visual impairment in the U.S.  
    • Quality of life of diabetic retinopathy patients
      A study evaluating quality of life using utility values, found that diabetic retinopathy patients with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 20/25, were willing to trade 15% of their remaining…  
    • Over a 1-year period, 54% of individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) reported a fall and 30% reported more than one.  Of all reported falls, 63% resulted in an injury.  
    • Visual loss from subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, a characteristic of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), was found to have a profound impact on how patients felt about their health-related quality of…  
    • Patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) reported 45% worse vision-related functioning, 13% worse overall well-being, 30% more anxiety, and 42% more depression than those without the disease.  They also…  
    • Even mild visual impairment more than doubles the risk of mortality over a 5-year period.  
    • The total annual loss for the 3.7 million people in the U.S. who are visually impaired or blind is estimated at more than 209,000 quality-adjusted life-years.  
    • Quality of life in patients with no light perception in one eye
      A study evaluating quality of life found that patients with no light perception in one eye who were asked to imagine the same scenario in their second eye, were willing…  
    • Vision conditions cause activity limitations in 8.9% of Americans age 85 and older.  
    • For assistance getting around, more than 100,000 visually impaired Americans use long canes, and more than 7,000 use guide dogs.  
    • An estimated 2.07 million Americans age 50 and older have age-related macular degeneration.  
    • Among those 65 and over, 18% are affected by vision trouble; 15 % of men and 19% of women.  Among those 85 and over, 28% report having trouble seeing.  
    • Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) sponsored by the National Eye Institute
      “Hyman Shapiro of Rockville, Maryland, practiced law for 45 years until his vision problems made it too difficult to read the law books. In 1988, he was diagnosed with age-related…  
    • Individuals who are visually impaired are less likely to be employed–44% are employed compared to 85% of adults with normal vision.  
    • The average annual salary for visually impaired adults is around $10,000 less than individuals with normal vision.  
    • For those at high risk of advanced AMD, high dGI (dietary glycemic index) diets increased the risk of developing advanced AMD by 17%.  
    • Glaucoma accounts for more than 7 million physician visits each year.  
    • Blindness due to glaucoma
      Three out of four Americans that are legally blind due to glaucoma are over 65.  
    • Number of Patients Aged 65 and Older Using Medical Services, Medications and Vitamins  
    • Number of Patients Aged 40 to 64 Using Medical Services, Medications and Vitamins  
    • The average cost in 2004 per glaucoma patient age 40 to 64 using outpatient services was $276. The average cost per patient 54 years and older was $254.  
    • In 2001, approximately 2.9 million glaucoma patients visited physicians or hospitals for treatment of their disease.  
    • In 2001, approximately 5.6 million prescriptions were filled for glaucoma patients.  
    • A study of glaucoma patients found that compared with control subjects, they were over 3 times more likely to have fallen in the previous year, over 6 times more likely…  
    • Approximately 120,000 people have gone blind because of glaucoma– 9-12% of all cases of blindness in the U.S.  
    • Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness among age-related eye diseases in Hispanic persons– accounting for 28.6% of cases of blindness.  
    • Diabetic retinopathy often causes vision loss and blindness during working age years, resulting in more disability and person-years of vision lost than other eye diseases.  
    • In 2001, approximately 420,000 diabetic retinopathy patients visited physicians or hospitals for treatment of their disease.  
    • In 2001, an estimated 1.4 million age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients visited physicians or hospitals for treatment of their disease.  
    • Various studies found between 13% and 24% of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients had experienced visual hallucinations.  
    • Individuals with early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are almost 2 times more likely to have a stroke than those who do not have the eye disease.  
    • Compared to elderly persons without visual impairment, elderly patients with macular degeneration are 8 times more likely to report difficulty shopping, 13 times more likely to have difficulty managing finances,…  
    • One study reported emotional distress scores in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients comparable to scores of individuals with serious illnesses such as melanoma and HIV.  
    • One-third of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients suffer from clinical depression.  
    • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among white Americans– accounting for 54% of cases of blindness.  
    • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in people over the age of 65.  
    • Based on estimates from 1997 data, around 115,583 visually impaired and 74,133 blind individuals who did not work, would have worked if they had been fully sighted.  
    • Progression of vision loss from normal to blind is associated with more than 1.5-fold increased odds of depression and injury, and 2.5- to 3-fold increased odds of utilization of skilled…  
    • In a study of new applicants for recent vision loss rehabilitative services, 7% had current major depression and 26.9% met the criteria for subthreshold depression.  
    • The data from the NEI-sponsored Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that persons with vision worse than 20/40 OU (oculur unitas, meaning “in both eyes) were more likely to be…  
    • An estimated 424,801 more visually impaired and blind individuals live in nursing homes than would be expected if they had normal vision.  
    • While only 4.3% of the 65 and older population lives in nursing homes, 16% of those who are visually impaired and 40% of those who are blind reside in nursing…  
    • The ability to recognize faces declines with age and requires, on average, being 5 feet closer to the face with every decade after the age of 60.  
    • An association with vision loss and vehicular crashes has been shown in older adult drivers.  
    • Vision loss is a leading cause of falls in the elderly. One study found that visual field loss was associated with a 6-fold risk of frequent falls.  
    • Vision conditions or problems cause activity limitations in 8.3% of Americans age 85 and older.  
    • Longitudinal study on vision loss in Medicare patients
      A longitudinal study that followed Medicare patients found that after 9 years, almost 50% of survivors had developed glaucoma, cataract, or macular degeneration.  
    • Americans 65+ that have severe visual impairment
      6.5 million Americans over the age of 65 have severe visual impairment that threatens to limit their mobility, independence, and quality of life.