Figure 1 

Percent of Americans age 45+ with a Self Reported Vision Problem by Age  

30

26

25

20

17

17

15

15

Percent

10

5

0

Total               45 64              65 74               75+ 

Age Group 

Source:  Lighthouse National Survey on Vision Loss (1995) 

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. 

Severe Vision Impairment 

Approximately 8.7 million Americans age 45 and older (9%) report a severe vision 

impairment.   Severe vision impairment is defined as follows, based on self report:  

N 

Unable to recognize a friend at arm s length even when wearing  

glasses or contact lenses; OR 

N 

Cannot read ordinary newspaper print even when wearing glasses or  

contact lenses, OR 

N 

Self rated vision as poor or very poor vision even when wearing glasses or 

contact lenses; OR 

N 

Blind in both eyes. 

Approximately 11% of people age 65 and older (3.8 million) report a severe vision 

impairment as defined above.  

3