(HealthNewsDigest.com).. Like many diseases, vision problems disproportionately affect African-Americans. Glaucoma, a condition where the fluid pressure inside the eye is too high, is one of the leading causes of blindness for Americans. However, glaucoma is five times more common in African-Americans than Caucasians and four times more likely to cause blindness.

[...]

According to a new survey, many African-Americans are not prioritizing vision care for themselves or their children. More than 3,700 adults of varying ethnic backgrounds (African-Americans, Hispanics, Asian-Americans, and Caucasians) expressed their attitudes toward, perceptions of and experiences with vision care in the nationwide Americans’ Attitudes and Perceptions About Vision Care survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of The Vision Care Institute™ of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

More than nine out of 10 African-American respondents (93 percent) agree that maintaining proper vision is an important priority to them. Yet, 21 percent say they do not have a regular eye care professional and one-quarter (24 percent) say it has been more than two years since their last eye exam. (more…)