Senior Citizens report fewer vision problems

Two large national surveys offered optimistic results regarding vision problems among Americans over the age of 65. Researchers found that the percentage of adults over 65 who said they needed help performing daily tasks because of severe vision problems fell from 3.5 percent in 1984 to 1.7 percent in 2010. In addition, the percentage of those who reported poor eyesight which made it difficult to read or see certain objects went from 23 percent in 1984 to 10 percent in 2010. Those who participated in the study answered questions about problems related to their eyesight and how it affected their daily routine. Severe vision impairments that limited a person's ability to perform basic functions were the focus of one survey while the second survey asked participants about severe impairments as well as less severe impairments that interfered with daily tasks. These improved statistics were a bit surprising considering the increase in diabetes which can cause vision problems. Researchers attribute the decline in vision problems to advancements in ophthalmology and better therapies for eye diseases.*