IAPB 2020
October is a month in the eye-health world for creating awareness on how important healthy vision is for everyone. According to the International Agency on the Prevention of Blindness, at least 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment that may or may not be addressed, and of those, at least 1 billion people have a vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed.
By far, the biggest vision challenge worldwide is myopia — otherwise known as nearsightedness — where 2.6 billion people are affected, including 312 million children under the age of 19. To put that last figure into perspective, the United States census clock currently puts the US population at 330 million, so that’s nearly the equivalent of an entire country affected by myopia alone!
The other primary causes of vision loss around the globe include:
- Age-related macular degeneration affecting 196 million people.
- Diabetic retinopathy with 146 million people currently addressing this eye disease.
- Glaucoma with 76 million people struggling with this particular eye issue.
While these numbers are on the rise and are alarming, there is hope. Maintaining good eye health starts with a comprehensive eye exam. Eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables will nourish your vision. Protecting your eyes from the sun, injuries, and digital eye strain will go a long way to keep your vision strong.
If you have any questions about your eye health, contact Drs. Cheryl and Dave Roell to schedule an appointment (scroll to the bottom for available appointment times).