Nonrefractive Vision Problems

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.

Sources:

Vision Problems rising rapidly in the U.S. WebMD

According to a recent study published in the December 12^th 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.

$Nonrefractive Vision Problems$

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.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Source: Vision Problems rising rapidly in the US WebMD

Nonrefractive Vision Problems on the rise; when was your last Eye Exam?

Nonrefractive Vision Problems, like Glaucoma and Cataracts, are on the Rise