The number of people in the United States with visual impairments or blindness is expected to double to more than 8 million by 2050, according to studies conducted by the National Eye Institute.
The research — which was published today in JAMA Ophthalmology — also states an additional 16.4 million Americans are expected to have difficulty seeing due to correctable refractive errors such as myopia or hyperopia that can be fixed with glasses, contacts or surgery.
Non-Hispanic white women reportedly represent the largest portion of people affected by visual impairment and blindness. African-Americans currently account for the second highest proportion of visual impairment, however that is expected to shift to Hispanics around 2040 as the number of older Hispanics continues to grow.
Photo courtesy NEI
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Source: National Eye Institute