vol1 - Page 199
Page 199
Previous ,
Next ,
Original Image
Return to Index
present, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United
States. illl it is estimated that glaucoma is responsible for
visual impairment in approximately one.million Americans_ !l_/
Glaucoma affects approximately one out of every I00 persons in
the general population. _I// An estimated 150,000 to 300,000 new
cases of glaucoma are diagnosed each year, _/_/ and between 7,000
t
:
& i0_000 Americans are blinded by the disease each year. _15/
Research suggests subgroups within the general population are
more frequently affected by glaucoma° For example, the disease
appears to involve heredity in ways that are only dimly
understood. _-I_/
Ethnic background also plays a role in glaucoma demo-
graphics. It is estimated that glaucomas occur much more
_iI/ Affidavit of Dr. John Merritt, _ 9_
__12d _9__ACT Official State Repor%s_ Vol. If, Exhibit i0, New
Jersey Glaucoma Protocol at 10, (quoting #Fact Sheet: Marijuana
& Glaucoma, _ c_ _ °
__y__/Jlstitute,.August,
16_ .1978t at i).
__i._/ /_. (quoting wVision Research: A National Plan: 1979-
1982_ _ 'lg_ort of_nai_A_Y!_q_LEve Council, at
292).
414/ /_. (quoting _Facts & Fiqp/res", The National Society to
Prevent Blindness, 1980)_
4_15_/ _o_ at (_Snm_ary and Critique of Available Data on the
Prevalence and Economic and Social Costs of Visual Disorders and
Disabilities, = 1976).
• I__/ ACT Official State Reportse Vole IX, Exhibit 10 at 9
(quoted from Glaucoma The National Eyo Institute, National
Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, Washington, D.C_
November, 1979 at I).
12_
Previous ,
Next ,
Return to Index