Vision Disorders in America at a Glance

• 80,000,000 Americans suffer from potentially blinding eye diseases
• 14,000,000 have severe visual impairments not correctable by glasses
• 34,000,000 visits are made to doctors for eye care each year
• 1,100,000 Americans are legally blind

Major Sight Robbing Diseases

• 14,000,000 diabetics are prime targets for Diabetic Retinopathy, a scarring of retinal tissue caused by leaking blood vessels
• 10,000,000 suffer visual loss due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a deterioration of a part of the retina that allows clear central vision
• 7,500,000 struggle with Strabismus (crossed eyes), a misalignment of the eyes which can lead to visual loss and diminished depth perception
• 5,500,000 have vision obstructed by Cataract, a clouding of the lens of the eyes, which is normally transparent
• 4,280,000 cases of Corneal Disease occur annually when the clear front surface of the eye becomes clouded, distorted or scarred by injury, disease or genetic defects
• 2,300,000 suffer inflammatory disorders such as Uveitis which affects the middle layer of tissue behind the white of the eye and causes visual impairment
• 2,000,000 suffer loss of sight from Glaucoma, a buildup of fluid pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve
• 100,000 have Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a family of progressive inherited diseases that cause night blindness, tunnel vision, and loss of sight
• Less than 4% of blindness is the result of eye injuries

Reprinted from Research to Prevent Blindness Progress Report, 1993.