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Research to Prevent Blindness

U.S. Blindness and Visual Impairment Will Double by 2050

A study supported by RPB and the National Eye Institute and conducted  by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) Roski Eye Institute has found that the U.S. prevalence in visual impairment (VI) and blindness is expected to double over the next 35 years. By 2050, the number of Americans with a variety of eye disease and impairment issues, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR) and cataracts, will dramatically increase impacting both individuals and society.

"Individuals who are visually impaired or blind have a higher risk of chronic health conditions, unintentional injuries, social withdrawal, depression, and mortality," write the investigators.

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