The 20 most common eye diseases in the United States

These statistics are estimates, and the actual prevalence of eye diseases may vary depending on various factors such as age, race, and geographic location. These are the 20 most common eye diseases in the United States, along with their prevalence:

The Top 7 Eye Diseases in USA

• Refractive errors (e.g., nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism): Affects about 25% of the population.
• Cataracts: Affects about 22% of people over the age of 40.
• Age-related macular degeneration: Affects about 10% of people over the age of 60.
• Diabetic retinopathy: Affects about 7.7% of people with diabetes.
• Glaucoma: Affects about 2.2% of people over the age of 40.
• Dry eye syndrome: Affects about 5% of people over the age of 50.
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis): Affects about 4.6% of people at some point in their lives.

Other Eye Diseases

• Eyelid disorders (e.g., ptosis, entropion, ectropion): Prevalence varies depending on the specific disorder.
• Amblyopia (lazy eye): Affects about 2% of children.
• Strabismus (crossed eyes): Affects about 4% of children.
• Keratoconus: Affects about 1 in every 2,000 people.
• Macular holes: Affects about 1 in every 10,000 people.
• Retinal detachment: Affects about 1 in every 10,000 people.
• Uveitis: Affects about 1 in every 10,000 people.
• Retinitis pigmentosa: Affects about 1 in every 4,000 people.
• Corneal dystrophies: Prevalence varies depending on the specific dystrophy.
• Choroidal neovascularization: Affects about 1 in every 500 people.
• Optic neuritis: Affects about 1 in every 1,000 people.
• Stargardt disease: Affects about 1 in every 10,000 people.
• Toxic optic neuropathy: Affects about 1 in every 50,000 people.

What is your Risk of developing an Eye Disease?

There are many factors that can influence the development and progression of eye diseases. Some of the most common risk factors include:

Age: Many eye diseases are more common in older people. For example, cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration are more likely to occur in people over the age of 60.

Genetics: Some eye diseases, such as glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, have a strong genetic component, meaning that people with a family history of these conditions are at a higher risk of developing them.

Health conditions: Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, can increase the risk of developing eye diseases.

Lifestyle factors: Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking and excessive sun exposure, can increase the risk of developing eye diseases.

Occupation: People who work in certain occupations, such as welders and pilots, may be at a higher risk of developing certain eye conditions due to their exposure to certain substances or environments.

Race: Some eye diseases are more common in certain racial groups. For example, glaucoma is more common in African Americans, while age-related macular degeneration is more common in Caucasians.

These are just some of the factors that can influence the development and progression of eye diseases, and the actual risk for an individual person of developing an eye disease depends on a variety of factors.