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There are 308,000 adult Arkansans affected by vision problems that if not detected and treated early, could lead to vision loss.
Over the next three decades the number of adult Arkansans affected by vision loss is expected to double! More than 600,000 Arkansans will be affected by sight-threatening, age-related eye diseases, such as macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These four diseases are creating a devastating emotional and economic impact on Arkansans age 40 and older, their families, caregivers and on Arkansas’ work force.
The Fourth Edition of Vision Problems in the U.S., released in March 2002 by Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and the National Institutes of Health (National Eye Institute), underscores that vision problems are a growing concern for the nation’s population. In Arkansas, the prevalence numbers are significant:
- AMD is the most common cause of blindness and vision impairment in Americans age 60 and older. More than 17,000 Arkansans age 50 and older have late-stage AMD, while hundreds of thousands more suffer from some form of the disease.
- Diabetic Retinopathy affects more than 52,000 Arkansans age 18 and older.
- Cataract affects nearly 23,000 Arkansans age 65 and older.
- Glaucoma is a chronic disease that often requires life-long treatment to control. Approximately 92,000 Arkansans have glaucoma, and half don’t even know the disease is slowly robbing them of their sight.
Vision problems do not occur only in adulthood. It is estimated that more than 12 million school age children suffer from vision problems or eye disease that, if not treated, can affect learning and cause lifelong vision impairment. For example, amblyopia, which affects 2-3% of all children, can cause irreversible damage. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical. Successful recovery with treatment can occur if detected before age 6.
Blindness and vision impairment represent a significant human and economic toll on individuals and society. Vision loss robs people of their independence, mobility, and quality of life, and it is one of the disabilities that Americans fear most.
Blindness and visual impairment are also enormous financial burdens to society, costing the federal government more than $4 billion annually. Now, more than ever, individuals and families look to PBA for answers.
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