Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases of the Eye
Overview
Major innovations in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye occurred in the last half of the twentieth century. From the development of the contact lens to precise lasers used in surgery of the eye, technology played a vital role in the correction of visual difficulties. Recent research has advanced scientific and clinical knowledge of how the eye functions, providing a basis for future sight-saving treatments.
Background
Although progress in understanding and treating diseases of the eye was significant from 1950 until the end of the century, the need for eye care increased dramatically. In the United States alone, one third of the population is estimated to need corrective lenses in order to see properly. The economic impact of visual disabilities climbed to over 35 billion dollars in 1995 in direct medical costs and indirect costs to society through lost productivity.
The National Eye Institute, created by Congress in 1968, joined with similar organizations world-wide to encourage innovations in medical technology and therapies for the treatment of eye disease. The developed world reaped most of the benefit from recent advances, as new drug therapies and surgical techniques quickly spread, fueled by consumer interest for better eyesight without eyeglasses.
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