According to a study published last year in the Journal of American Medical Association, nonrefractive vision problems – those vision problems that cannot be treated with glasses or contacts – are on the rise, fueled by the diabetes and obesity epidemic. In fact, the number of nonrefractive vision problems increased by 21% (more than 700,000 people) between two survey periods: 1999 to 2002 and 2005 to 2008.
“The increasing diabetes prevalence in the U.S. is leading to more vision loss,” according to David S. Friedman, MD, PhD, MPH, the director of the Dana Center for Preventive Ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute and Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.
Friedman and his fellow researchers analyzed data from a large national database in 1999-2002 and 2005-2008. The only risk factor that increased along with the prevalence of nonrefractive vision problems was diabetes.
“The number of people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years has more than doubled in the last six or seven years,” said Friedman.
If current diabetes rates continue, we will continue to see instances of nonrefractive vision problems increase, according to Friedman. Preventing diabetes and losing weight is the first step in preserving vision. The second step is regular eye exams.
When was your last Eye Exam?
Board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center have helped preserve thousands of patients’ vision. Let us help you too! We offer comprehensive ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. The Anne Arundel Eye Center and its caring staff are dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.
If you have any questions about Nonrefractive Vision Problems or wish to schedule an appointment with the Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact Dr. Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.
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