Researchers conducted a new meta-analysis that showed that blindness and impaired vision are closely linked to an increased risk of death. This has been needed to address global eye health differences.
The researchers in the study, published in The Lancet Global Health, said the world’s population is getting older, so are their eyes.
They predicted that the number of visually impaired and blind people is expected to more than double over the next 30 years.
For the study, the study analyzed 48,000 people who participated in 17 different studies. They found that people with visual impairment had a higher risk of multi-cause mortality compared to those with normal or low vision.
According to the data, mortality risk was 29 percent higher for visually impaired participants, compared to normal vision. The risk goes up to 89 percent among those with severe vision.
In particular, four out of five cases of visual impairment can be prevented or corrected. Globally, the main reasons for avoiding both vision loss and blindness are: cataract and the unmet need for glasses, the authors noted.
The lead author of the study, Joshua Ehrlich, MD, MPH, wanted to better understand the link between visual disabilities and all-cause mortality.
Results
Ehrlich’s study identified the impact of late vision on health and well-being, including its impact on depression, depression, and loss of independence.
“It is important that these issues are addressed early because your vision loss affects more than just how you see the world; it affects your knowledge of the world and your life, ”said Ehrlich.
“This analysis provides an important opportunity not only to promote health and well-being, but also longevity by correcting, rehabilitating and preventing avoidable vision loss globally,” he said.