According to a recent study published in the December 12th issue of the Journal of American Medical Association, nonrefractive vision problems are on the rise in the United States, increasing in prevalence by 21% since 1999. Common nonrefractive vision problems include glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and cataracts. Unfortunately, these vision problems cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses.
A nonrefractive vision problem is one that is caused by an underlying medical condition, like diabetes.
“The increasing diabetes prevalence in the U.S. is leading to more vision loss,” said researcher David S. Friedman, MD, PhD, MPH. “The number of people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years has more than doubled in the last six or seven years.”
“We have to recognize that this is a large public health problem so we can start developing methods to deal with it,” he added.
If you or a loved one has diabetes or is at risk of developing diabetes, it is important to have your eyes checked frequently. This will help you catch many of these nonrefractive vision problems early enough to prevent any serious vision loss.
“Certainly people need to be aware of the risks of getting nonrefractive vision impairment down the road,” said Alan N. Carlson, MD. “If there is a family history of certain diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetes, you should be seen more regularly by an eye doctor to make sure these diseases are caught earlier when they are much more treatable.”
To learn more about Nonrefractive Vision Problems, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.
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Source: Vision Problems rising rapidly in the US WebMD