healthnotes

Vision Loss Raises Other Risks

A

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study reveals older people who report vision loss

are more likely to experience comorbid conditions than people without vision loss. Moreover, these combinations of conditions among older people have serious conse- quences for overall health and the ability to perform tasks and participate in social roles. This study estimates 5.7 million people over age 65 experiencing vision loss. The number of older people experienc- ing vision loss and other comorbid condi- tions is substantial:

1.2 million

experience both vision loss and diabetes;

3 million have compro-

3 million report vision

loss and mild or moderate risk of depression;

and nearly

900,000 report stroke and

vision loss.

The population estimates are for older people residing in the community and not in institutional settings. The combination of vision impairment and other health conditions substantially compromises the performance of activi- ties and social participation.

30 MILITARY OFFICER OCTOBER 2015

350,000 report severe risk of

depression;

mised hearing and vision;

Vision Loss’ Toll in the U.S.

As of 2004, blindness or low vision affects more than 3.3 million Americans ages 40 years and older; this number is predicted to double by 2030 due to the increasing epidemics of diabetes and other chronic dis- eases and our rapidly aging U.S. population.

Approximately 1.5 million veterans have a vision-threatening eye disease, including 285,000 with glau- coma. Veterans over 60 are most at risk.

The annual economic impact of major vision problems among the adult population 40 years and older is more than $51 billion.

The National Com- mission on Preven- tion Priorities has identified vision screening among adults ages 65 years and older as one of the top 10 priori- ties among effective clinical preventive services.

SOURCES: VA; CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK