Individuals with vision impedance have higher risk of all-cause mortality

Overview

• Post By : Kumar Jeetendra


• Source:


• Date: 06 Mar,2021

The global population is aging, and so are their eyes. In fact, the number of individuals with vision impairment and blindness is expected to more than double over the next 30 years.

A meta-analysis in The Lancet Global Health, comprising 48,000 individuals from 17 studies, found that those with more severe vision impairment had a greater chance of all-cause mortality compared to those who had normal vision or mild vision impairment.

According to the data, the risk of mortality was 29% higher for participants with moderate vision impairment, when compared with normal vision. The risk increases to 89% among those with severe vision impairment.

Globally, the major causes of vision loss and blindness are both avoidable: cataract and the unmet need for eyeglasses.

The work compliments some of Ehrlich’s recent study, also in The Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health, that emphasized the effect of late-life vision impairment on health and well-being, including its influence on dementia, depression, and loss of independence.

It’s important these issues are addressed early on because losing your vision affects more than just how you see the world; it affects your experience of the world and your life. This analysis provides an important opportunity to promote not only health and wellbeing, but also longevity by correcting, rehabilitating, and preventing avoidable vision loss across the globe.”

Joshua Ehrlich, M.D., M.P.H., Study’s Lead Author