“With the aging of the population, the number of Americans with major eye diseases is increasing, and vision loss is becoming a major public health problem.”*

Source: National Alliance for Eye and Vision Research
Age related eye diseases affect 35 million Americans
Cataracts: leading cause of low vision currently affect 20.5 million aged 65+
Glaucoma affects 2.2 million
Diabetic Retinopathy affects 4.1 million Americans 40+
Age-Related Macular Degeneration advanced 1.8 million People 80 years of age and older currently make up eight percent of the population, but account for 69 percent of blindness

Source: National Eye Institute Study
The study identifies age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataract, and diabetic retinopathy as the most common eye diseases in Americans age 40 and over.
The study authors emphasize the importance of annual comprehensive eye examinations in preventing and/or delaying eye disease for those at higher risk for blindness, such as those over age 65, people with diabetes, or African Americans over age 40.

Source: Macular Degeneration Foundation
One in six Americans between ages 55-64 will develop age related macular degeneration
One in four Americans between ages 64-74 will develop age related macular degeneration
Each year 1.2 million of the estimated 12 million will experience a severe central vision loss

*NEI Press Release
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
National Eye Institute