The nurse, instructing a group of community members on chronic health problems, explains that the leading cause of blindness in the United States is:

Question

1. glaucoma.
2. cataracts.
3. hypertension.
4. diabetic retinopathy.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Glaucoma is not the leading cause of blindness in the United States.
Rationale 2: Cataracts are not the leading cause of blindness in the United States.
Rationale 3: Hypertension is not the leading cause of blindness in the United States.
Rationale 4: The leading cause of blindness in the United States is retinopathy due to microvascular changes associated with the hyperglycemic states of diabetes.
Global Rationale: The leading cause of blindness in the United States is retinopathy due to microvascular changes associated with the hyperglycemic states of diabetes. Blindness from this cause exceeds rates of blindness from glaucoma, cataracts, and hypertension.