Medical Disorders

Resources

Basic InformationLookupsLatest News

Three Reports Discuss Issues Surrounding Blood TransfusionCommon Glaucoma Drug May Cause Droopy Eyelids, Study FindsHealth Tip: Pondering Allergy Shots?Mechanism of Scarring After Glaucoma Surgery IdentifiedGlucosamine Supplements Tied to Risk of Eye ConditionChronic Heartburn May Raise Odds for Throat Cancer: StudyMigraine, Chronic Back Pain Tied to Higher Suicide RiskHaving Both Migraines, Depression May Mean Smaller BrainUnderactive Thyroid and Heart Failure a Bad Combination: StudyATS: Injured Women Receive Less Trauma Care Than MenOxandrolone Not Effective for Pressure Ulcer TreatmentHealth Tip: Possible Causes of Dry EyeDDW: Weight Loss Improves GERD SymptomsStudy: Older Whooping Cough Vaccine More EffectiveManaging Seasonal AllergiesControl of Heart Risks May Vary Among Outpatient PracticesFDA Approves Simponi for Ulcerative ColitisUltrasound Findings Can Improve Classification of RAHealth Tip: Exercise With Allergies and AsthmaCombo Drug Therapy May Work Best to Strengthen Bones: StudyCDC Guidelines Could Cut Bloodstream Infections From DialysisUnusual Heat May Have Boosted West Nile Virus Last Year: CDCGood Diet Helps People Manage Celiac DiseaseExercise May Ease Pain of Fibromyalgia, Study SuggestsDog DNA May Yield Clues to Human EczemaAUA: Primary Care Treatment for UTI Could Save $2 BillionHealth Tip: Lactose May Be Hiding in FoodResearchers Pinpoint Cause of Port-Wine Stain BirthmarksHigh Blood Sugar May Add to Alzheimer's Risk: StudySome Antidepressants May Raise Risk for Gastro InfectionHealth Tip: Coping With Shoulder ArthritisOmega-3s No Help Against Age-Linked Eye Trouble: Study1997 to 2011 Saw Increase in Allergies Among U.S. ChildrenMild Hyperthyroidism Tied to Higher Death RiskHealth Tip: Help Prevent Exercise-Induced AsthmaFirst Aid Tips for Treating Cuts, Scrapes and Puncture WoundsFood, Skin Allergies on the Rise Among Children: CDCPenicillin Prevents Return of Leg Infection Called Cellulitis: StudyAntibiotic Azithromycin Won't Harm Healthy Hearts: StudyFDA: Samsca May Cause Liver DamageStudy Debunks Lyme Disease-Autism LinkParalyzed Patient Moves Prosthetic Arm With Her MindSome Antidepressants Linked to Bleeding Risk With SurgeryAllergies: As American as Apple Pie?Drugs Can Sometimes Prevent Migraines, but at a CostReview: All Approved Drugs Similarly Prevent MigrainesAlmost Half of Americans Would Consider Donating Kidney to Stranger: PollAir Pollution Linked to Marker of AtherosclerosisTeens Targeting Strength, Cardio Fitness Battle Insulin ResistanceHealth Tip: Why Did I Faint?

Questions and AnswersLinksBook Reviews

Related Topics

Cancer
Men's Health
Women's Health
Heart Disease

Older Americans Report Fewer Vision Problems

Updated: Jul 2nd 2012

new article illustration

MONDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Over the past several decades there has been a significant decrease in the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment among older adults in the United States, according to research published online June 8 in Ophthalmology.

Angelo P. Tanna, M.D., from Northwestern University in Chicago, and H. Stephen Kaye, Ph.D., from the University of California at San Francisco, analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP) from 1984 to 2010. Survey results were age-adjusted to a standard (2010) population.

The researchers found that, based on NHIS data, the prevalence of activity-limiting visual impairment among persons aged ≥65 years significantly declined by 51.7 percent from 1984 to 1996 (from 3.5 to 1.7 percent) and by 45.8 percent from 1997 to 2010 (from 3.1 to 1.7 percent). According to SIPP data, the prevalence of functional visual impairment in the same age group significantly declined by 58.3 percent from 1984 to 2010 (from 23.3 to 9.7 percent), whereas the prevalence of severe functional impairment declined by 47.1 percent (from 5.1 to 2.7 percent).

"There was a marked reduction in the prevalence of self-reported visual impairment in the non-institutionalized adult U.S. population during the period from 1984 to 2010," the authors write.

One author disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)

This article: Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.