Are Your Eyes At Higher Risk?
While vision problems can affect anyone, certain groups are more likely to develop eye- and overall-health issues that can take a serious toll on vision. Depending on your age, gender and ethnicity, you may be at higher risk.
Taking simple steps today – like scheduling regular eye exams and wearing the right eyewear – can impact your healthy sight for a lifetime.
Learn how you can take care of your vision for the future.Read about some of the most common issues affecting these at-risk groups.
Focus on African Americans
Common Eye Health Issues
Cataract is a disease that involves the clouding of the outer lens of the eye. African Americans are 1.5 times more at risk for developing cataract than the general population – and are five times more likely to develop blindness as a result. Extended exposure to UV rays is a risk factor.
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that gradually damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss. African Americans are five times more likely than Caucasians to develop glaucoma, and are four times more likely to suffer blindness as a result.
Common Overall Health Issues
Diabetes, which can be detected through an eye exam, can cause blurred vision. Over time, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy, and can increase risk for developing cataract and glaucoma. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is 70 percent higher in African Americans vs. Caucasians, and African Americans are more likely to develop and die from diabetes-related complications.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can sometimes be detected through an eye exam. It can lead to hypertensive retinopathy, which causes blurry vision and even blindness. African Americans are 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure, and are 10 percent less likely to have it under control.
HIV/AIDS is trending upward in the U.S. African-American population. Late-stage AIDS can lead to retinal detachment and blindness within two to six months.
Sickle Cell Disease can cause vision problems and even blindness when sickle-shaped cells block blood vessels in the eye. Roughly two million African Americans in the U.S. – or one in 12 – are carriers of the sickle cell trait.
Despite their higher risks, a Nationwide Vision Survey shows that less than half of African Americans had an eye exam within the past year.
Additionally, only 7 percent of African Americans know that extended exposure to the sun (a risk for cataract) can damage the eyes.
Download the What to Expect: African-American Eyes brochure.Focus on Asian Americans
Common Eye Health Issues
Glaucoma is often known as the silent thief of sight, as optic nerve damage leads to gradual vision loss. Asian Americans are more likely to develop angle-closure glaucoma – a rapid pressure increase in the eye – than the general population
Myopia (Nearsightedness), or trouble seeing far away, is significantly more common among Asian American populations. It affects approximately 80 percent of this group.
Common Overall Health Issues
Diabetes can be detected through an eye exam, even in its earlier stages. It can cause blurred vision and, over time, lead to diabetic retinopathy – so regular eye care for people with diabetes is critical. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death among Asian Americans 45-64. Because Asian Americans are less likely to be obese, doctors are often late with the diagnosis.
Tuberculosis can lead to a number of diseases throughout the body and eye, including ocular tuberculosis. It is 13 times more common among Asian populations, especially women.
Despite their higher risks, more than 33 percent of Asian Americans do not believe they need an eye exam unless specifically having a vision problem.
Asian Americans are also the least likely demographic to believe that vision correction will greatly improve everyday activities such as driving and work performance.
Download the What to Expect: Asian Eyes brochure in English Download the What to Expect: Asian Eyes brochure in MandarinFocus on Hispanic Americans
Common Eye Health Issues
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease that destroys sharp, central vision. Approximately one in 10 Hispanics is at risk for developing advanced AMD. Extended exposure to UV rays is a risk factor.
Cataract is a disease that involves the clouding of the outer lens of the eye, and is the leading cause of visual impairment among Hispanic adults. Cataract is three times more common in Hispanics vs. Caucasians and African Americans. Extended exposure to UV rays is a risk factor.
Glaucoma is a progressive disease that gradually damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss. Open-angle glaucoma – caused by rising pressure in the eye – is the most common cause of blindness among Hispanics.
Pterygia, or the thickening of the outer coating of the eye, is more common among Hispanics. Risk factors include extended exposure to UV rays and wind.
Common Overall Health Issues
Diabetes, which can be detected through an eye exam, can lead to many problems throughout the body and eye. Early signs of vision problems may include blurred vision – and over time, diabetes can lead to diabetic retinopathy. One in 10 Hispanics has diabetes, which is three times the rate of the general population. As many as 95 percent of Hispanics have preventable, type 2 diabetes.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can sometimes be detected through an eye exam. It can lead to hypertensive retinopathy, which causes blurry vision and even blindness. High blood pressure affects 29 percent of Hispanics.
Despite their higher risks, research supported by Transitions Optical revealed that only 15 percent of Hispanics had a vision checkup within the past year.
Additionally, only 3.7 percent of Hispanics are aware that UV can damage the eyes.
Download the What to Expect: Hispanic Eyes brochure in English. Download the What to Expect: Hispanic Eyes brochure in Spanish.Transitions Optical has supported the development of a number of Spanish-language and bilingual materials, and makes them available free of charge to the community.
YoNoSabiaEso.com (Eye Didn't Know That!)
AprendaSobreAnteojos.com (Eyeglass Guide)
HealthySightForLife.org/sp (Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund)
What to Expect: Bilingual Eye Exam Guide (PDF)
Focus on Kids
Common Eye Health Issues
Vision Problems, such as trouble seeing up close or far away, often first develop during childhood, affecting more than one in four school-aged children. Untreated vision problems can cause difficulty reading, trouble seeing the chalkboard, decreased performance in school, frustration, redness or tearing of the eyes and headaches.
Eye Development Problems can also occur during childhood. Most can be corrected, but only if caught early. Common problems among children include lazy eye or crossed eyes.
Common Overall Health Issues
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases among school-aged children. Today, nearly 1 out of 3 kids in the U.S. is overweight or at risk for becoming overweight – putting them in danger for developing diabetes. Studies show that diabetic retinopathy – which is caused by damage to the retina over time – progresses faster in children, making regular eye care a must for kids with diabetes.
Everyday Risks
UV Exposure can be extra damaging to kids' developing eyes. Kids also spend more time outdoors than adults – getting three times the sun exposure – yet are twice as likely to wear sunscreen as they are sunglasses. Because UV damage builds over time, it is important that kids begin protecting their eyes at an early age by wearing photochromic or sun lenses outdoors.
Eye Injuries occur to more than 13,000 children between the ages of 5 and 14 every year. An estimated 90 percent are preventable. Impact-resistant lens materials can help reduce risks.
Vision screenings - even those offered in schools or at the pediatrician's office - identify just 5 percent of vision problems.
Children are at risk for having vision problems go undetected, since they don't always realize they're not seeing their best.
The way a child sees can make a big difference in how he or she learns. Forming habits early in life – such as seeing an eye doctor regularly and wearing UV-blocking eyewear – can help to ensure a lifetime of healthy sight.
Learn what you can do at a community level to promote children's sports eye safety.How We Support
How We Educate
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