It is estimated that more than 150 million people in the U.S. use corrective eyewear 

for refractive errors (Prevent Blindness America, 2002).  

An estimated 29% of males and 40% of females age 18 to 35 wear corrective 

lenses. This  increases to 44% of males and 53% of females age 35 to 54 and  61% 

of males and 66% of females age 55 and older who wear corrective lenses 

(American Association of Retired Persons, 1995).   

KNOWLEDGE & ATTITUDES ABOUT VISION LOSS

Results of the Lighthouse National Survey on Vision Loss (The Lighthouse 

Inc.,1995) indicated that there is great fear and limited knowledge about vision 

loss and aging among middle aged and older adults: 

N

Only 43% of respondents correctly identified the following statement as 

false: "All older people will become visually impaired as part of the normal 

aging process".  Forty three percent believed it was true and 14% did not 

know. 

N 

71% of Americans age 45 and older fear being blind more than  

being deaf; 76% fear blindness more than having to use a wheel chair; and 

70% fear blindness more than losing a limb.  Only 41% fear blindness more 

than having a mental or emotional illness. 

N

26% of people without a visual impairment report fear when meeting a  

person with a visual impairment, feeling "what s happened to them might 

happen to you". 

30