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Resources: Living With Vision Loss:Senior Vision

February has been designated as Low Vision Awareness month by Prevent Blindness America, and March has been designated as Age Related Macular Degeneration Month by the American Academy of Ophthalmolgy~~~ WHY?

Consider these facts from a study that was sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the Federal government's National Institutes of Health (NIH): With the aging of the population, the number of Americans with major eye diseases is increasing, and vision loss is becoming a major public health problem. By the year 2020, the number of people who are blind or have low vision is projected to increase substantially. Blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over, or one in 28, according to study authors. This figure is projected to reach 5.5 million by the year 2020. The study reports that low vision and blindness increase significantly with age, particularly in people over age 65. People 80 years of age and older currently make up eight percent of the population, but account for 69 percent of blindness.

"Blindness and low vision can lead to loss of independence and reduced quality of life," said Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director of the NIH. "As our population lives longer, eye disease will be an ever greater concern.

Eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy as the most common dinilitating eye diseases in Americans age 40 and over. The leading cause of blindness among white Americans is AMD, accounting for 54 percent of all blindness. Among African Americans, the leading causes of blindness are cataract and glaucoma. Among Hispanics, glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness. The study authors emphasize the importance of annual comprehensive eye examinations in preventing and/or delaying eye disease for those at higher risk for blindness, such as those over age 65, people with diabetes, or African Americans over age 40.

With more Americans than ever are facing the threat of blindness from age-related eye disease, the general public needs to be more educated on what Low Vision so that is WHY February and March are Low Vision Awareness month.

The impact of a low vision disease will greatly affect a person life. This can be devasting causing many to become socially isolated. The quality of health may become compromised because they can no longer read medications, prepare nutrional foods, travel alone, drive or dial a phone.

Difficulty recognizing objects at a distance (street signs or bus signs)

Difficulty differentiating colors (particularly in the green-blue-violet range)

Difficulty seeing well up close (reading or cooking)

Symptoms of low vision may include:

Blurred Vision: Objects appear out of focus. Causes include macular degeneration, diabetes, corneal disease and/or cataracts.

Central Field Loss: A dark or hazy patch appears in the center of objects. Causes include macular degeneration and optic atrophy.

Contrast Loss and Glare Problems: Objects blend with background; lights are distracting or uncomfortable. Causes include glaucoma, cataracts, corneal disease and albinism.

Multiple Field Loss: Dark patches are scattered around objects. Causes include diabetes, glaucoma, retinal detachment and trauma.

Distortion: Objects appear out of shape, crooked, deformed, wavy or doubled. Causes include macular degeneration, diabetes and retinal detachment.

Tunnel Vision: Objects in the center of the field of vision are visible; objects on the sides are missing. Causes include glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and stroke.

"Blindness and visual impairment from most eye diseases and disorders can be reduced with early detection and treatment," U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson. "That's why eye health education programs that encourage those at high risk for eye disease to have regular dilated eye exams are essential in preventing vision loss. Healthy vision is a shared responsibility among the government, health care providers, community leaders, and the public."

The director of the National Eye Institute, Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., called for an increase in public attention to eye disease. "About one in eight Americans is 65 or older," Dr. Sieving said. "When you add declining mortality rates and population shifts, such as the 'baby boomers,' the number of older people will grow dramatically in the years ahead. Blindness and vision impairment represent not only a significant burden to those affected by sight loss, but also to the national economy as well."

The new report addresses the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in the U.S., including: