CONTENTS

Introduction.................................................................................................... i  

Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................ii 

Prevalence of Vision Impairment: National Estimates................................ 1 

All Ages ................................................................................................ 1 

Middle Aged and Older Adults............................................................. 2 

Persons Under Age 45 ....................................................................... 4 

Young and Working Age Adults .......................................................... 4 

College Population .............................................................................. 5 

Children and Adolescents ................................................................... 6 

Nursing Home Residents ................................................................... 7 

Prevalence of Vision Impairment: State Estimates..................................... 8 

World Wide Prevalence of Vision Impairment ............................................11 

Projected Estimates of Vision Impairment...................................................13 

Employment Status and Earning of Working Age Persons  

with Visual Impairments.................................................................................14 

Disability Estimates.......................................................................................17 

Causes of Vision Impairment .......................................................................18 

Macular Degeneration ........................................................................19 

Glaucoma ............................................................................................20 

Cataract...............................................................................................21 

Diabetic Retinopathy...........................................................................23