Common is urging Americans to remember that sight is a gift that can and should be protected. The award-winning actor, hip-hop artist and activist is featured in a recently released video, “Stand in the Way of Darkness,” using spoken word to help further the fight against preventable blindness.
The video is part of Allergan’s See America initiative to raise awareness about preventable blindness, which experts believe half of all blindness is preventable if patients were proactive.
“Sight is something that far too many of us take for granted. I hope our message resonates with people across the country, no matter what age or background,” Common said in a press release.
Currently, 61 million Americans are at-risk to go blind or experience severe vision impairment.
African Americans and Blindness
African Americans are at higher risk for certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. These often have no warning signs, but left untreated, they can cause vision loss and possibly blindness.
Glaucoma
According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African Americans and half of those with glaucoma aren’t aware they have it. Research shows glaucoma strikes earlier (10 years earlier on average) and faster in African Americans and the risk for glaucoma is 20 percent higher with a family history of it.
Risk for glaucoma increases for African Americans in the following groups:
African Americans should get a thorough check for glaucoma every one to two years after age 35.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy, the most common form of diabetic eye disease, is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20–74. It occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels in the retina.
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), more than 800,000 African Americans have diabetic retinopathy, and this number is projected to increase to approximately 1.2 million people by 2030.
The infographic below offers tips to help prevent diabetic retinopathy and to protect your overall eye health.
Making the effort to protect your vision can help reach the national goal of defeating preventable blindness by 2030.
WATCH Common’s video, “Stand in the Way of Darkness” below.
To learn more about See America, visit www.SeeAmerica.vision.
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