Vision Rehabilitation and Aging

Approximately two million Americans estimated to have severe visual impairment could be helped by services not readily available through the nation's vision care system. Ophthalmologists do not routinely suggest low vision services to their severely visually impaired patients that could help prevent deterioration in the quality of life. Many patients with limited vision go unidentified and untreated. This is particularly true for those over 65 whose numbers are rising and who are experiencing more low vision problems than any other age group. Significant visual impairment occurs in more than 25 percent of the aged population in general, and more than 12 percent of the population over age 65 are legally blind. Approximately 990,000 elderly had severe visual impairment in 1977, and by the year 2000, this number will rise to 1,760,000. As the aged population increases, so does the need for low vision services.