RETINA CARE CONSULTANTS. P.A. Caring Your Vision - Special Aspects | Page 3
Status of eye diseases in the
U.S.: Why you should visit your
ophthalmologist more often
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Latest available numbers show that over 24.4 million Americans age 40 and older have
been diagnosed with cataracts while a shocking 50% of all Americans are estimated to
develop the disease by the time they are 75. Another 7.7 million Americans age 40 and
older are battling diabetic retinopathy and 2.7 million suffer glaucoma. And the figures go
on and they grow with millions being diagnosed with dry eye or eye infections. To paint a
bigger picture, the population of the U.S. as of 2017 is just over 329 million people with so
many being prone to face a life-limiting disease that may have otherwise a reduced the
impact if action would have being taken.
Eyes are one of the few body parts that rarely hurt when something is wrong happening,
so having regular eye tests is important to help become aware of any potentially dangerous
illnesses. Ophthalmologists can also identify and predict early onset of mental illnesses and
as well cardiovascular disease or liver conditions.
Having a family history of eye disease also is a factor that increases the risks of developing
one for you. Just as normal as it is to talk to your healthcare professional about your family
history of cardiovascular disease or cancer, for instance, is providing an as complete as
possible record. Take for instance AMD – it is thought to have a gene-related cause,
increasing chances to as much as half of suffering from it later on if one of the members of
your family did too.