There has been a steep rise in eye diseases in the US from 2000 to 2012, with the biggest increases being diabetic retinopathy (89% increase) and age-related macular degeneration (25% increase). Other common eye disorders discussed include cataracts (19% increase), glaucoma (2% increase), retinal vascular occlusions, retinal detachment, uveitis, and ocular tumors. Early detection and treatment of these conditions is important to prevent vision loss. The document encourages getting regular eye exams to check for these diseases.

2. RISING EYE DISEASES IN THE US
• The biggest rise is in diabetic
retinopathy (89%) and age-related
macular degeneration(25%)
• A 19% increase in cases of cataracts,
with over 24 million over the age of 40
affected
• A 2% increase in glaucoma, with about
3 million over the age of 40 being
affected
There has been a steep rise in the number of people suffering from eye diseases in
the US between 2000 and 2012:
Here’s a look at the most common eye disorders in the US:

3. DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
• Involves changes to the retinal blood vessel that can lead to bleeding or fluid
leakage in the eye, thereby distorting vision
• Often goes unnoticed until vision loss, so people with diabetes are advised to get
an eye check-up at least once a year
• Controlling blood sugar level is one way of preventing vision loss
• Early detection and timely treatment can also protect against vision loss
Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the main reasons for the loss of vision among
people with diabetes:

4. AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
• Causes damage to macula, a spot near
the center of the retina that helps see
objects that are straight ahead
• With advancing age, a blurred area in
the center of the vision starts to appear,
which is the most common symptom
• Research shows smoking almost
doubles the risk of AMD
Age-Related Macular Degeneration or AMD is one of the leading causes of the loss
of vision in people over the age of 50:

5. RETINAL VASCULAR OCCLUSIONS
• Occlusion happens when one or more
of these blood carrier vessels
experience a blockage or a clot
• This causes blood or other fluid build-
up and prevents proper filtering of
light
• 2 types of occlusion exist: retinal
artery occlusion and retinal vein
occlusion - depending upon whether
the blockage is in the veins or the
arteries
The retinal vascular systems are blood vessels that supply blood to and from your
retina to ensure it receives enough nutrients and oxygen, and also removes wastes
produced in the retina:

6. RETINAL DETACHMENT
• People with severe nearsightedness or
having undergone an eye surgery
before are at serious risk
• Although it can happen without a
warning, flashes and floaters can be the
presenting symptoms
• If there are symptoms, it should be
treated quickly, or else it can lead to
permanent loss of vision
It is a very serious eye condition that happens when the retina is detached from
the tissues surrounding it:

7. UVEITIS
• The diseases commonly affect the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea
• It can happen to people of all ages
• Bruises to the eye, external toxins and many other infections occurring in the eye
or other parts of the body can cause this disease
Uveitis is a general term for various types of inflammatory diseases that cause
swelling and can destroy eye tissues:

8. OCULAR TUMORS
• Both cancerous and non-cancerous
tumors can cause vision problems if
left untreated
• Choroidal melanoma is a rare,
potentially vision and life-threatening
disease that requires special expertise
in diagnosis and management
• Retinoblastoma is a cancer originating
in the retina and is more common
among children
• Symptoms of ocular tumors include
blurry vision, distorted vision, red eye
and eye pain
Ocular tumors are cancerous and non-cancerous tumors that develop in and
around the eyes.

9. GLAUCOMA
• Happens because of increased pressure in the eye
• Happens when the eye fluid is not circulating in the front part of the eye
• Sometimes, it could be hard to diagnose because of absence of early symptoms or
pain
A condition that causes damage to the eye's optic nerve:

10. SAVE YOUR PRECIOUS GIFT OF VISION
You need to consult a specialist who has
experience diagnosing and treating a
variety of retinal diseases.
With state-of-the-art facilities and a
variety of advanced treatment options,
Empire Retina Consultants provides
reliable services and treatments to
patients suffering from any retinal
disease.

11. GET YOUR EYES CHECKED TODAY
Visit: www.empireretina.com
OR
Call: 718.646.2025