Print

Vision Loss Increasing Among Working Age Americans And Is Associated With Increase In Diabetes

INTRO:Vision loss is increasing in the United States and so is the prevalence of diabetes. Americans are being diagnosed with the disease at a much younger age and that means they are living with diabetes for a longer period of time.  A new study examined the relationship between diabetes, other risk factors and vision loss in U.S. adults. Catherine Dolf has more in this week’s JAMA Report.

VIDEO

B-ROLL

People walking on the street, Jerry Fishman walking down the hall

AUDIO

vo

MILLIONS OF AMERICANS NEED GLASSES TO HELP THEM SEE. BUT THERE IS AN INCREASING GROUP OF U.S. ADULTS INCLUDING JERRY FISHMAN, WHO EXPERIENCE VISION LOSS THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED BY GLASSES.

AUDIO

SOT/FULL Super @:11 Jerry Fishman – Patient Runs:10

“My retina both of them had swollen to such a degree that it was becoming almost impossible for me to see anything clearly.”

(Video covering 2nd half of bite: Jerry being examined by Dr. Friedman)

B-ROLL

Jerry in exam room with Dr. Friedman

AUDIO

vo

JERRY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AND HE IS NOT ALONE.

AUDIO

SOT/FULL Super @:26 David S. Friedman, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Runs:05

“In working age Americans its diabetic eye disease that is a predominant cause of retinal disease.”

VIDEO

B-ROLL

Dr. Friedman and colleague walking into office, patient’s eyes being examined, Dr. Friedman and colleague looking at research

AUDIO

VO

DR. DAVID FRIEDMAN FROM THE JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND CO-AUTHORS EXAMINED DATA FROM PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY OR NHANES. RESEARCHERS EVALUATED DATA ON VISION HEALTH FROM 1999 TO 2002 AND FROM 2005 TO 2008. THOSE LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE HAD ALMOST TWICE THE RATE OF VISION LOSS AS THOSE WITH INCOMES ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL. EDUCATION AND INSURANCE WERE ALSO RISK FACTORS FOR VISION LOSS BUT THOSE IMPROVED OR STAYED THE SAME FROM ONE PERIOD TO ANOTHER.

AUDIO

SOT/FULL Super@1:01 David S. Friedman, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Runs:13

“The only major risk factor for vision loss that increased over time was diabetes lasting 10 or more years. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing and people are having it longer because they are having it at a younger age.”

(Video covering middle of bite: people walking outside)

VIDEO

GXF FULL JAMA COVER

AUDIO

VO

THE STUDY APPEARS IN JAMA, JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

VIDEO

B-ROLL

Computer image of retina

AUDIO

VO

RESEARCHERS ALSO FOUND VISION LOSS THAT CANNOT BE CORRECTED WITH GLASSES INCREASED OVER THE STUDY TIME PERIOD.

AUDIO

SOT/FULL Super@ 1:25 David S. Friedman, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., – Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Runs:17

“It’s increased by about 20 percent in the last six or seven years.” When we looked at the younger population those 20 to 40 years of age we saw an increase of 40 percent.” If we continue at the pace that we’re going we’re going to see a lot of working age Americans with vision loss related to diabetes.”

(Video covering middle of bite: people walking outside)

AUDIO

SOT/FULL Super @ 1:47 Jerry Fishman – Patient Runs:12

“I’ve made my mind up that if it’s going to get better and I’m not going to create havoc on my body I was going to have to be a good boy about it.”

(Video covering 1st half of bite: Jerry looking at computer with Dr. Friedman)

VIDEO

B-ROLL

Jerry talking with Dr. Friedman

AUDIO

VO

AND HE WAS.  AFTER GETTING HIS DIAGNOSIS, JERRY CHANGED HIS DIET, LIFESTYLE AND IS MAKING GREAT PROGRESS.

AUDIO

NATSO/FULL Runs:07

“…that was almost a year ago you’ve had remarkable recovery and that’s completely flat now and that’s why your vision is so much better…much better….”

VIDEO

B-ROLL

Jerry and Dr. Friedman talking

AUDIO

VO

CATHERINE DOLF, THE JAMA REPORT.

TAG:RESEARCHERS SAY CONTINUED MONITORING OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND DIABETES ALONG WITH PREVENTION AND TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED.