FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many people of all ages have a vision impairment?

National estimates for the overall prevalence of vision impairment vary, depending 

upon the definition utilized. 

An estimated 7.9 million persons (age 6 and older) have difficulty seeing words and 

letters in ordinary newspaper print, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses 

(McNeil,  2001). 

Approximately 8.3 million persons of all ages (3.1%) are "blind in one or both eyes 

or report some other trouble seeing" (Adams, Hendershot, & Marano, 1999). 

How many middle aged and older adults report some form of vision 

problem?

One in six Americans (17%), 45 years of age or older, representing 16.5  

million middle age and older adults, report some form of vision 

impairment even when wearing glasses or contact lenses (The 

Lighthouse Inc., 1995). 

The prevalence of self reported vision impairment increases with age.  

The following report some form of vision impairment:  15%  (9.3 million) 

Americans age 45 64 years;  17% (3.1 million) age 65 74 years and 26%  

(4.3 million) age 75 years and older (The Lighthouse Inc., 1995). 

Among persons age 65 and older, 21% report some form of vision 

impairment (The Lighthouse Inc., 1995).   Based on 2000 population  

estimates, this represents 7.3 million persons. 

The vast majority of middle aged and older Americans who report vision impairment 

are partially sighted rather than totally blind.  Only 2% of all Americans age 45 and 

older report that they are blind in both eyes (The Lighthouse Inc., 1995). 

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