Eye disease does not affect all races equally. African Americans are more likely to develop certain eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy yet are less likely to receive necessary eye surgery.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can elevate inner eye pressure to dangerous levels and damage the optic nerve, causing permanent vision loss. Today, more than three million Americans have glaucoma, but half are unaware they have the disease.
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among people older than 55. In the United States, 20.5 million people have cataracts, which is about one in six Americans older than 40.
Have you canceled or delayed your eye exam due to COVID-19? Healthy vision is not just a luxury. It is a medical necessity.
