17 Jul Visual Impairment Among U.S. Adults and Age-Related Eye Diseases

MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Chiu-Fang Chou DrPH
Division of Diabetes Translation National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion CDC, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE (K-10)
Atlanta GA 30341-3727

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

A: We estimated nearly 9 million people aged 40 years and older are visually impaired using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Three out of every four people aged 40 years and older with VI have uncorrected refractive error that could be easily corrected with simple glasses or contact lenses. The ocular disease most associated with visual impairment in our study sample was age-related macular degeneration. Finally, increasing age and low educational attainment were significant predictors of visual impairment.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

A: Early detection and timely treatment can prevent or delay visual impairment. The clinicians need to remind their patients of the importance of recommended eye examination. In addition, screening of the elderly may identify adults at increased risk of VI due to eye diseases. Increasing public awareness of vision and eye health, and the availability of affordable eye care services might help to reduce avoidable visual impairment.

MedicalResearch.com:: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

A: More effort is needed to collect national and local data in order to monitor the nation’s eye health and eye care utilization. There is a need for innovative interventions to reduce unnecessary vision impairment.

Citation:

Chou CF, Cotch MF, Vitale S, Zhang X, Klein R, Friedman DS, Klein BEK, Saaddine JB. Age-related eye diseases and visual impairment among U.S. Adults.
Am J Prev Med. 2013 Jul;45(1):29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2013.02.018.

Last Updated on July 17, 2013 by Marie Benz MD FAAD