How many people potentially have low vision?

More than 3 million Americans have low vision (National Advisory Eye Council, 

1998).   

It is also estimated that approximately 12 million people have some form of vision 

impairment that cannot be corrected by glasses (National Advisory Eye Council, 

1998). 

How many people in the U.S. are legally blind?

Data collected from the National Health Interview Survey on Disability (1994 95) 

indicate that approximately 1.3 million persons reported legal blindness (0.5%). (cited in 

American Foundation for the Blind, 2001)

How many people in the U.S. have light perception or less?

An estimated 20% of legally blind individuals have 

clinically measured light 

perception or less,

 representing an estimated 260,000 individuals (American 

Foundation for the Blind, 2001). 

How many people worldwide have a vision impairment?

There is an estimated 180 million people worldwide who have a visual impairment.  

Of these, between 40 and 45 million persons are blind (World  Health Organization, 

2001). 

What is the employment status of persons who have a visual 

impairment?

Nationally, among persons age 21 to 64 who are visually impaired, 

defined as any 

difficulty or inability to see words and letters even when  wearing glasses or 

contact lenses

, only 41.5% are employed; among  individuals 

unable to see words 

and letters

, this figure decreases to 29.9%.  (McNeil, 2001).  This proportion is 

significantly lower than the approximately 84% of persons without any disability, or 

the 50% with any type of disability in this age group who are employed (McNeil, 

2001). 

According to data collected from the National Health Interview Survey on Disability, 

 40 45% of working age people who have a vision impairment (serious difficulty 

seeing even with glasses or contact lenses) or are legally blind are employed (cited 

iv