HealthWise: Vision Loss & Correction
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Vision impairment remains one of the most feared disabilities. Although it is believed that half of all blindness can be prevented, according to the National Eye Institute, the number of people in America who suffer vision loss continues to increase. As people age their chance for developing eye diseases increases dramatically. These diseases include glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Few people are aware that macular degeneration (MD) is an incurable eye disease.  It is the leading cause of blindness for those aged 55 and older in the United States, affecting more than 10 million Americans.  According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, the estimated prevalence rate of MD in North Carolina is 2.5%.  Glaucoma is another eye disease that gradually steals sight without warning. It’s estimated that over 3 million Americans have glaucoma, but only half of those know they have it. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness among African Americans. It is six to eight times more common in African Americans than in Caucasians.

Refractive errors are the most frequent eye problems in the United States. These errors are optical effects that result in light not being properly focused on the eye’s retina. They include myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism (uneven focus). It is estimated that more than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear, spending approximately 15 billion dollars a year on eyeglasses and contacts. Today, more and more people are turning to refractive or laser surgery to correct their vision problems.

Radial Keratomy (RK) is a surgical procedure used to decrease nearsightedness. LASIK is a shortened term standing for "LAser in SItu Keratomileusis". This particular correction procedure utilizes two devices to alter the degree of near-sightedness in an eye. Photorefrective Keratectomy (PRK) utilizes a type of laser called an excimer laser to decrease nearsightedness.  

Join host Christine Rogers for the UNC-TV special HealthWise: Vision Loss & Correction. During this hour-long program, a panel of distinguished experts from across North Carolina will examine the challenges of vision loss and the treatments and procedures available for vision correction throughout the states

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