A Look At CBVI
By Bob Nelson
Executive Director

I am constantly amazed at the news reports I see on television, hear on the radio, or read in the newspaper
regarding great advances in medical technology…especially as it relates to vision impairment and vision loss.
Considering all the new medical breakthroughs we hear about in the news, one might think that blindness
and vision impairment is on the decline.
One might conclude that, much like the polio epidemic of the 20th century, a cure for blindness is around the corner,
and blindness and visual impairment will be a footnote in history. Nothing could be further from the truth. Simply
put, tremendous advances in medicine are enabling people to live considerably longer than previous generations, and
with improvements in physical lifestyle.
However, as people live longer, the potential to develop other medical and physical challenges also increases.
Such is the case pertaining to the incidence of blindness and vision loss.
Below are the facts relating to blindness and vision impairment:

• There are about 10 million legally blind and visually impaired people in the United States.
• Based on the 2000 census, there are at least 5,539 people in Delaware County and 3,579 people in Chester County with blindness or vision impairment.
• People 80 years of age or older currently make up 8% of our population, but account for 69% of blindness.
• 70-75% of all new cases of visual impairment occur in the 65+ age group.
• The four most common causes of blindness and vision impairment related to aging are age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts.
• Due to increased life expectancy, the number of persons with blindness and vision impairment in the 50 year and older age group will continue to increase each year and
  is expected to double by 2030.