The following is a transcript of a report by medical editor Marilyn Brooks that first aired Feb. 15, 2007, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

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It's no secret that getting older results in a variety of health problems, and one of the biggest is incurable low vision.

WTAE Channel 4 Action News medical editor Marilyn Brooks has talked about the rising epidemic of obesity, hip fractures and depression, but millions of Americans are sidelined by debilitating vision impairment that is not correctable with eyeglasses or surgery.

At 65, Holly Dick works, exercises, volunteers and otherwise leads an active life, but she can't drive a car and can barely see 2 inches in front of her.

"The right eye is just light perception, and the left eye can see things up close," said Dick.

Dick has bilateral optic atrophy from severe ear infections as a child. The result was incurable low vision.

"Just a little fraction left is what I have," said Dick. "It's like tunnel vision. There's no peripheral vision on either eye."

Dick is among millions with low vision, but most are elderly. The National Eye Institute said the obesity epidemic is putting younger people at greater risk. They expect low vision to rise from 3.3 million to 5.5 million over the next two decades

Like many, Dick once hid her vision problems, until walking down Grant Street several years ago.

"I came to a curb and sprained my ankle very badly," said Dick.

Others suffer hip fractures, depression, social isolation and immobility.

While physicians rely on medical treatment, Paul Freeman specializes in helping low-vision patients see with what they have left through an array of devices that magnify information.

"People who can't read, they're able to read," said Freeman. "People who can't watch television or see faces or look at medicines."

Dick benefits from such devices. Her computer tells her the letters she is typing, and she has a closed-circuit television for reading and writing.

"I'm going to use whatever device or technique I need to get the job done," said Dick.

There is no way to prevent low vision, but there are ways to prevent some of the diseases that lead to low vision. Stop smoking, lose weight, eat a diet rich in antioxidants such as zinc and vitamins A and C, and have your vision checked routinely.

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