Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy of childhood. There 

are between 300 and 400 new cases diagnosed annually (National Advisory Eye 

Council, 1998). 

Approximately 1,500 new cases of choroidal melanoma are diagnosed annually  

(National Advisory Eye Council, 1998). 

CORNEAL DISEASE

  Diseases and injury to the cornea are the leading cause of visits to physicians 

for medical eye care in the United States (National Advisory Eye Council, 1998). 

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

  Blindness occurs mainly among children with birth weights below 1,000 grams (2 

lbs, 3 oz) at rates of 5% to 6% (Hack, Klein, & Taylor, 1995). 

RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA

  Retinitis pigmentosa is the most common cause of inherited blindness (National 

Advisory Eye Council, 1993). 

  Retinitis pigmentosa, for which there is no known cure, affects 100,000 

Americans (Foundation Fighting Blindness). 

  An estimated one out of 80 people carry the recessive gene for RP (National 

Advisory Eye Council, 1993).

USHER SYNDROME

The following estimates are from Foundation Fighting Blindness: 

  There are about 10 15,000 people with Usher syndrome. 

  Usher Syndrome is  the major cause of deaf blindness. 

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