CHICAGO (May 27, 2010) – The number of new cases of vision impairment and blindness continues to grow. New research has shown that within the next few years, there will be more Americans over the age of 60 than those under the age of 15. With the increasing number of aging baby boomers, the number of blind and visually impaired is expected to double by the year 2030. And, the MacArthur Research Network on an Aging Society states by 2050, Americans may live 3.1 to 7.9 years longer than official government projections, resulting in sharply higher costs for government programs that serve older citizens.
According the study, “Economic Impact of Vision Problems: The Toll of Major Adult Eye Disorders, Visual Impairment, and Blindness on the U.S. Economy” by Prevent Blindness America, the costs of adult vision problems to the U.S. economy amount to $51.4 billion every year. And through the Prevent Blindness America “Vision Problems in the U.S.” report with the National Eye Institute, updated in 2008, the numbers of Americans over the age of 40 who are at risk for age-related eye disease and other vision threatening conditions continued to increase. Data from the MacArthur Research Network on an Aging Society also estimates that cumulative outlays for Medicare and Social Security could rise by $3.2 to $8.3 trillion from current government projections by 2050.
The 2010 U.S. Census data is likely to show demographic shifts in the adult population that may have a profound impact on the incidence of age-related eye diseases like macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. As it has in the past, Prevent Blindness America will continue to support research into the scope and burden of these vision problems.
“It is our hope that by funding research projects ourselves as well as supporting the work of other groups dedicating to improving vision health, we can work together to push forward government funded programs aimed at providing a better quality of life for everyone,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America.
Supporting research related to vision health has been part of the mission of Prevent Blindness America from more than 100 years. The group has declared June as Vision Research Awareness Month to educate the public not only the progress of current vision research projects aimed at curing blinding eye diseases, but also educating government leaders as to the need for funding for vision loss prevention programs.
Along with leading various research studies on a national scale, Prevent Blindness America has established its annual Investigator Award program to provide research grants that help address the growing numbers of Americans at risk for blindness. The program has provided more than $500,000 in research grants to projects ranging from eye disease to eye safety. Prevent Blindness America will announce the recipients of the 2010 Investigator Awards in June of this year.
To review a copy of the Prevent Blindness America Economic Impact of Vision Problems: The Toll of Major Adult Eye Disorders, Visual Impairment, and Blindness on the U.S. Economy study or the 2008 Vision Problems in the U.S. report, call 1-800-331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org. Information is also available for the Prevent Blindness America Investigator Award program, or various eye diseases, by contacting Prevent Blindness America.
Download the Research Press Release.
Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation's leading patient and consumer advocate dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy, certified vision screening, training, community and patient service programs and research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, divisions and chapters, it's committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, or to make a contribution to the sight-saving fund, call 1-800-331-2020.
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