DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

   An estimated 17 million people in the U.S. have diabetes.  Of those, 5.9 million 

are not aware that they have the disease (American Diabetes Association). 

Approximately 40% (6 million) of all people with diabetes have diabetic 

retinopathy.  An estimated 5% of persons with diabetes have the sight 

threatening form of this disease (Prevent Blindness America, 1994). 

An estimated 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older have diabetic retinopathy 

(2.5%)   (Prevent Blindness America, 2002 ). 

  Annually, 12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight from diabetic retinopathy 

(American Diabetes Association). 

  Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of legal blindness among adults 20 

to 74 years of age (American Diabetes Association).  

 Among persons with juvenile diabetes, 25% will have diabetic retinopathy after 5 

years; almost 60% after 10 years; and 80% after 15 years (Prevent Blindness 

America, 1994). 

  African Americans are twice as likely to suffer from diabetic related legal 

blindness (American Diabetes Association). 

  The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Mexican Americans is 32 40% 

(American Diabetes Association). 

AIDS RELATED VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

  The estimated proportion of persons with AIDS  who will develop CMV retinitis 

ranges from 20% (Jabs, Davis, & Mowyer, 1992) to approximately 40% (cited in 

Gallant, et al. (1992). 

CANCER

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