• My Dashboard My Education Find an Ophthalmologist
  • Home
  • For Ophthalmologists
    • Meetings
      • AAO 2021
        • Meeting Information
          • New Orleans
          • Past and Future Meetings
          • Contact Information
          • Virtual Meeting Guide
          • Policies and Disclaimers
        • Program
          • Program Search
          • Program Highlights
          • Program Committees
          • CME
          • Meeting Archives
        • Expo
        • Registration
        • Presenter Central
          • Presenter Central
          • Abstract Selection Process
          • Submission Policies
          • Subject Classification/Topics
          • Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs
          • Papers and Posters
          • Videos
          • Grand Rounds Symposium
          • Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines
          • Faculty Development Program
        • Exhibitors
          • Exhibitor Central
          • Exhibitor Portal Information
          • New Exhibiting Companies
          • Exhibitor Resources
      • Mid-Year Forum
        • Registration and Travel
        • Congressional Advocacy Day
        • Advocacy Ambassador Program
        • Program
        • Schedule
        • Sponsored Attendees
        • News
      • Ophthalmology Business Summit
      • Codequest
        • Codequest Instructors
        • Claim Codequest CME or CEU Credit
      • Eyecelerator
    • Clinical Education
      • COVID-19
      • Education
        • Browse All Education
        • Courses
        • Cases
        • Learning Plans
        • Interactive
        • Focal Points
        • Wills Eye Manual
        • Disease Reviews
        • Clinical Webinars
        • Diagnose This
        • Self-Assessments
        • Educational Centers
          • Glaucoma Education Center
          • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
          • Laser Surgery Education Center
          • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
          • Redmond Ethics Center
      • Journals
      • Guidelines
        • Browse All Practice Guidelines
        • Preferred Practice Patterns
        • Clinical Statements
        • Compendium Guidelines
        • Complementary Therapy Assessments
        • Medical Information Technology
        • Ophthalmic Technology Assessments
        • Patient Safety Statements
        • Choosing Wisely
        • Low Vision
        • Eye Care for Older Adults
        • Eye Disease Statistics
        • About the Hoskins Center
      • Multimedia Library
        • Browse All Videos and Audio
        • Clinical and Surgical Videos
        • Presentations and Lectures
        • 1-Minute Videos
        • Master Class Videos
        • Basic Skills Videos
        • Interviews
        • Audio and Podcasts
        • Images
        • Submit an Image
        • Submit a Video
      • News
        • Browse All Clinical News
        • Editors' Choice
        • Headlines
        • Current Insight
      • CME Central
        • Browse All CME Activities
        • Claim CME Credit and View Transcript
        • CME Planning Resources
        • Complete Your Financial Disclosure
        • Joint Sponsorship Portal
        • LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award
        • Safe ER/LA Opioid Prescribing
        • Check Your Industry Payment Records
      • MOC
      • Resident Education
        • All Resident Education
        • OKAP and Board Exam Resources
          • OKAP Exam
          • Board Prep Resources
          • OKAP and Board Review Presentations
          • Study Flashcards
        • Resident Courses
        • Resident Videos
        • Cataract Master
        • Simulation in Resident Education
        • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
        • News and Advice from YO Info
    • Membership
      • Join
      • Renew
      • Current Member
      • Volunteer
      • Physician Wellness
      • Member Directory
      • Member Obituaries
      • AAOE Membership
    • Advocacy
      • Advocacy News
      • Get Involved
        • Ways to Give
        • How to Get Involved
        • Congressional Advocacy
        • Support the Academy's Agenda
        • Research Legislation
        • Find Your Legislators
        • I Am an Advocate
        • Advocacy at Home
        • Advocate Tools
        • Best Practices for Advocating at Home
        • Social Media Toolkit
        • Letter to Editor
        • Town Hall Guide
        • Guide to Engaging With New Lawmakers
        • Resources
        • Attending a Political Fundraiser
      • OPHTHPAC
        • About Us
        • Join OPHTHPAC
        • OPHTHPAC Blog
      • Surgical Scope Fund
        • Support Surgery By Surgeons
        • Surgery By Surgeons Blog
    • Publications
      • EyeNet Magazine
        • Latest Issue
        • Archive
        • Subscribe
        • Advertise
        • Write For Us
        • Corporate Lunches
        • Contact
        • MIPS 2019
        • MIPS 2020
      • Focal Points
      • Ophthalmology
      • Ophthalmology Glaucoma
      • Ophthalmology Retina
    • Subspecialties
      • Cataract/Anterior Segment
      • Comprehensive Ophthalmology
      • Cornea/External Disease
      • Glaucoma
      • Neuro-Ophthalmology/Orbit
      • Ocular Pathology/Oncology
      • Oculoplastics/Orbit
      • Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus
      • Refractive Management/Intervention
      • Retina/Vitreous
      • Uveitis
    • IRIS Registry
      • About
      • Using the Registry
        • User Guide
        • Medicare Reporting
        • Maintenance of Certification
        • Non-EHR Reporting
      • Sign Up
        • Application Process
        • Why Participate
        • Once You've Applied: Getting Started
        • What Practices Are Saying About the Registry
      • Requirements
        • EHR Systems
        • Data & Technical Needs
      • Research
      • Registry Dashboard
      • News
    • Medicare Information
  • For Practice Management
    • Coding
      • Codequest
      • Ask the Coding Experts
      • Coding Updates and Resources
      • Coding for Injectable Drugs
      • ICD-10-CM
        • News and Advice
      • Ophthalmic Coding Specialist (OCS) Exam
    • Regulatory
      • Medicare Participation Options
      • Audits
      • Medicare Advantage Plans
        • Termination Appeal Letter
      • New Medicare Card
      • Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS)
      • HIPAA Resources
    • Practice Operations
      • Practice Management Advice
      • Lean Management
      • Cybersecurity
      • Private Equity
      • EHRs
        • Overview
        • Planning and Preparation
        • Vendor Selection
        • Implementation and Evaluation
        • Patient Portals
        • Resources
        • Ratings
    • Events
      • Annual Meeting
      • Business Summit
      • Codequest Courses
    • Leadership
      • AAOE Board of Directors
      • Leadership Program (OPAL)
    • Listservs
    • Resources
      • Practice Management Resource Library
      • Coronavirus Resources
      • Patient Education
      • Practice Forms Library
        • Practice Forms Library - Examination
        • Practice Forms Library - Financial
        • Practice Forms Library - HIPAA
        • Practice Forms Library - Human Resources
        • Practice Forms Library - Job Descriptions
        • Practice Forms Library - Patient Forms
        • Practice Forms Library - Protocols
        • Practice Forms Library - Surgery
      • Practice Analytics
        • Benchmarking Tool
        • Salary Survey
      • Consultant Directory
      • Ophthalmology Job Center
      • Practice Management for Retina
      • Reopening and Recovery
    • Get Involved
    • Medicare
      • Quality
        • Overview
        • Reporting
        • Measures
      • Promoting Interoperability
        • Overview
        • Measures
        • Attestation
        • Hardships and Exceptions
        • Audits
        • News and Advice
      • Improvement Activities
        • Overview
        • List of Improvement Activities
        • Attestation
        • Audits
      • Cost
      • Avoid a Penalty
      • Resources
        • 2019 to 2020 MIPS Changes
        • MIPS Solo and Small Practice Survival Guide
        • MIPS Glossary
        • MIPS Resources on EyeNet
        • MIPS Extreme Hardship Exceptions
        • Solo and Small-Practice Roadmap
        • MIPS Manual
        • MIPS Large Practice Roadmap
        • IRIS Registry User Guide
        • CMS Websites
        • 2020 MIPS Payments: Understanding Remittance Advice Codes
        • Final Checklist for EHR/Non-EHR 2019 MIPS Reporting
        • MIPS Tips
        • MIPS Archive
    • Membership
  • For Public & Patients
    • Eye Health A-Z
    • Symptoms
    • Glasses & Contacts
    • Tips & Prevention
    • News
    • Ask an Ophthalmologist
    • Patient Stories
    • No Cost Eye Exams
    • Español
      • A - Z de Salud Ocular
      • Síntomas
      • Anteojos y Lentes de Contacto
      • Consejos y Prevención
      • Noticias
      • Relatos de Pacientes
      • Exámenes de la vista sin costo
      • English
  • AAO 2021
    • Meeting Information
      • New Orleans
      • Past and Future Meetings
      • Contact Information
      • Virtual Meeting Help
      • Virtual Meeting Guide
      • Policies and Disclaimers
    • Program
      • Program Search
      • Program Highlights
      • Program Committees
      • CME
      • Meeting Archives
    • Expo
    • Registration
    • Presenter Central
      • Presenter Central
      • Abstract Selection Process
      • Submission Policies
      • Subject Classification/Topics
      • Instruction Courses and Skills Transfer Labs
      • Papers and Posters
      • Videos
      • Grand Rounds Symposium
      • Program Participant and Faculty Guidelines
      • Faculty Development Program
    • Exhibitors
      • Exhibitor Central
      • Exhibitor Portal Information
      • New Exhibiting Companies
      • Exhibitor Resources
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • About Ophthalmology
      • The Eye Care Team
      • Ethics and the Academy
      • History
      • Museum of Vision
      • Values
    • Governance
      • Council
      • Board of Trustees
      • Committees
      • Academy Past Presidents
      • Secretariats
      • Elections
      • Academy Blog
      • Academy Staff Leadership
    • Leadership Development
    • Awards
      • Laureate Recognition Award
      • Outstanding Advocate Award
      • Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award
      • International Blindness Prevention Award
      • Distinguished Service Award
      • Guests of Honor
      • Secretariat Award
      • Straatsma Award
      • Achievement Award Program
      • Artemis Award
      • EnergEYES Award
      • International Education Award
      • International Scholar Award
      • Commitment to Advocacy Award
      • Visionary Society Award
    • Financial Relationships
    • Policy Statements
    • Related Organizations
      • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Directory
      • State Society Directory
      • Subspecialty/Specialized Interest Society Meetings
      • State Society Meetings
      • Resources for Societies
    • Year in Review
      • 2019 Year in Review
  • Foundation
    • About
      • Funding Allocations and Sources
      • 2019-2020 Annual Report
      • Annual Report Archives
      • News From the Chair
      • Foundation Staff
    • Our Impact
      • Partners for Sight
      • Donor Spotlights
      • Global Ophthalmic Community
      • Sponsorships
      • Patients and the Public
    • Giving Options
      • Our Supporters
      • Estate and Planned Giving
      • Ophthalmic Business Council
    • Orbital Gala
      • Why Attend
      • Photo Recap
      • Corporate Support Opportunities
      • Tribute Gifts
      • Silent Auction
      • Corporate Sponsors
    • Donate
    • Museum of the Eye Campaign
      • Museum Supporters
  • Museum of the Eye
    • Visit
    • Events
    • Explore
      • Research and Resources
      • Collection Search
      • Previous Exhibits
      • Oral Histories
      • Biographies
    • Volunteer
    • Mailing List
    • Donate
    • About the Museum
      • Museum Blog
  • Young Ophthalmologists
    • YO Info
    • Learn to Bill
    • Engage with the Academy
  • Senior Ophthalmologists
    • Scope
    • Practice Transitions
  • International Ophthalmologists
    • Global Programs and Resources for National Societies
    • Awards
    • Global Outreach
  • Residents
  • Medical Students
×
Log In Create an Account
  • For Ophthalmologists
  • For Practice Management
  • For Public & Patients
  • About
  • Foundation
  • Museum of the Eye
  • COVID-19
  • Journals
  • Education
    • Education
    • Courses
    • Cases
    • Learning Plans
    • Interactive
    • Focal Points
    • Wills Eye Manual
    • Disease Reviews
    • Clinical Webinars
    • Diagnose This
    • Self-Assessments
    • Education Centers
      • Glaucoma Education Center
      • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
      • Laser Surgery Education Center
      • Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Center
      • Redmond Ethics Center
      • Dry Eye Resources
  • Guidelines
    • Practice Guidelines
    • Preferred Practice Patterns
    • Clinical Statements
    • Ophthalmic Technology Assessments
    • Patient Safety Statements
    • Complementary Therapy Assessments
    • Compendium Guidelines
    • Medical Information Technology
    • Low Vision
    • Choosing Wisely
    • Eye Care for Older Adults
    • Eye Disease Statistics
    • About the Hoskins Center
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Premium IOLs
  • Multimedia
    • Multimedia Library
    • Video
      • 1-Minute Videos
      • Presentations and Lectures
      • Master Class Videos
      • Basic Skills Videos
      • Clinical and Surgical Videos
      • Interviews
      • Resident Lectures
      • Submit a Video
    • Audio and Podcasts
    • Images
      • Submit an Image
  • News
    • Clinical News
    • Editors' Choice
    • Headlines
    • Current Insight
  • CME
    • CME Central
    • Claim CME Credit and View Transcript
    • CME Planning Resources
    • Complete Your Financial Disclosure
    • Joint Sponsorship Portal
    • LEO Continuing Education Recognition Award
    • Safe ER/LA Opioid Prescribing
    • Check Your Industry Payment Records
  • MOC
  • Residents
    • Resident Education
    • OKAP and Board Exam Resources
      • OKAP Exam
      • Board Prep Resources
      • OKAP and Board Review Presentations
      • Study Flashcards
    • Resident Courses
    • Resident Videos
    • Cataract Master
    • Simulation in Resident Education
    • Diversity and Inclusion Education
    • Pediatric Ophthalmology Education Center
    • News and Advice from YO Info
    • Clinical Education /
    • Guidelines /
    • Eye Disease Statistics
  • US Eye Disease Statistics

    Visual impairment is a national and global health concern that has a negative impact on physical and mental health. Visually impaired individuals are at particularly high risk for chronic health conditions, accidents, social withdrawal, depression, and mortality. The number of people with visual impairment and blindness is increasing due to an overall aging population. Accordingly, initiatives like Healthy People 2020 Vision aim to improve visual health by reducing visual impairment and blindness in the United States.

    The information presented below is an overview of the causes of visual impairment and legal blindness in the United States. Detailed shifting demographic forecasts are also provided. Visual impairment is defined as 20/40 vision, or worse, in the better eye even with eyeglasses. Whereas a person is legally blind if their visual acuity, with best correction in the better eye, is worse than or equal to 20/200, or their visual field is less than 20 degrees in diameter. The content on this page is generously provided by the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The American Academy of Ophthalmology thanks UIC for sharing their data.

    Causes of Visual Impairment

    Non-Hispanic Whites
    Cataract (42.2%)
    Age-related macular degeneration (28.1%)
    Others (22.7%)
    Diabetic retinopathy (4.7%)
    Glaucoma (2.3%)

    African Americans
    Cataract (41.7%)
    Others (27.0%)
    Diabetic retinopathy (12.2%)
    Glaucoma (11.3%)
    Age-related macular degeneration (7.8%)

    Hispanics
    Cataract (48.0%)
    Others (16.2%)
    Diabetic retinopathy (15.0%)
    Age-related macular degeneration (14.5%)
    Glaucoma (6.4%)

    Causes of Legal Blindness

    Non-Hispanic Whites
    Age-related macular degeneration (46.6%)
    Others (27.6%)
    Cataract (10.3%)
    Diabetic retinopathy (6.9%)
    Glaucoma (5.2%)

    African Americans
    Others (43.8%)
    Cataract (25%)
    Glaucoma (18.8%)
    Diabetic retinopathy (8.3%)
    Age-related macular degeneration (4.2%)

    Hispanics
    Others (39.5%)
    Age-related macular degeneration (23.7%)
    Diabetic retinopathy (18.4%)
    Glaucoma (10.5%)
    Cataract (7.9%)

     

    Total Burden Forecast

    An estimated burden forecast of the total number of persons with visual impairment and blindness is important for public health policy planning. Forecasts using pooled prevalence rates, including more recent data for minority groups such as Hispanics and Asians, improve the accuracy of estimations, particularly for growing minority groups. Highlighting how demographic differences (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) within the US are related to geographic variations in the burden of visual impairment and legal blindness is also important. The forecasts below show 1) the estimated numbers of persons with visual impairment/blindness and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) during 2011–2050 by demography (Table 3), and 2) a per-capita case density of visual impairment/blindness and POAG by state (Figures 8–9). An online calculator is also available to calculate the estimated numbers of persons with visual impairment/blindness and POAG in your community.

    A 40-Year Forecast for POAG

    In 2011, 2.71 million people in the United States had POAG, with the highest estimated number among populations aged 70 to 79 years (31%), women (53%), and non-Hispanic whites (44%). The largest demographic group is non-Hispanic white women.

    In 2050, an estimated 7.32 million people in the United States will have POAG, with the highest number among populations aged 70 to 79 years (32%), women (50%), and Hispanics (50%). The largest demographic group is Hispanic men.

    Despite the high prevalence of POAG in African Americans and Hispanics, the largest group in the United States with POAG is among older non-Hispanic white women (2011), but is expected to shift to Hispanic men over the next few decades.



    Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology 2012 (with permission). Prevalence rates from selected population based studies (Baltimore Eye Survey, Los Angeles Latino Eye Study and Singapore Study) were used to estimate the number of persons aged 40 years and older with POAG in the United States. For calculation, the age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific prevalence rates were multiplied by the US Census estimates and projections from 2011 to 2050.

    During the next 40 years, the highest per capita POAG burden will double in New Mexico, Texas, and Florida. Given this demographic shift, the greatest yield from screening programs is likely to be in those states with high numbers of non-Hispanic white women and Hispanic men.



    Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology 2012 (with permission).

    Online Calculator: What is the Forecast in Your Community?

    Enter numbers for population by age, sex, and race/ethnicity to estimate the projected number of people with blindness or POAG in your community.
    Interactive Online Calculator

     

    References

    1. Saaddine JB, Narayan KM, Vinicor F. Vision loss: a public health problem? Ophthalmology. 2003;110(2):253-254.
    2. Li, Y., et al., Visual impairment and health-related quality of life among elderly adults with age-related eye diseases. Qual Life Res, 2011. 20(6): p. 845-52.
    3. Crews, J.E. and V.A. Campbell, Vision impairment and hearing loss among community-dwelling older Americans: implications for health and functioning. Am J Public Health, 2004. 94(5): p. 823-9.
    4. Ivers, R.Q., et al., Visual impairment and risk of hip fracture. Am J Epidemiol, 2000. 152(7): p. 633-9.
    5. Jones, G.C., et al., Effects of depressive symptoms on health behavior practices among older adults with vision loss. Rehabil Psychol, 2009. 54(2): p. 164-72.
    6. Zhang, X., et al., Association Between Depression and Functional Vision Loss in Persons 20 Years of Age or Older in the United States, NHANES 2005-2008. JAMA Ophthalmol, 2013: p. 1-9.
    7. Lee, D.J., et al., Visual acuity impairment and mortality in US adults. Arch Ophthalmol, 2002. 120(11): p. 1544-50.
    8. Congdon, N., et al., Causes and prevalence of visual impairment among adults in the United States. Arch Ophthalmol, 2004. 122(4): p. 477-85.
    9. Congdon, N.G., D.S. Friedman, and T. Lietman, Important causes of visual impairment in the world today. Jama, 2003. 290(15): p. 2057-60.
    10. Bourne, R., et al., Global burden of visual impairment and blindness. Arch Ophthalmol, 2012. 130(5): p. 645-7.
    11. Bourne, R., et al., New systematic review methodology for visual impairment and blindness for the 2010 Global Burden of Disease study. Ophthalmic Epidemiol, 2013. 20(1): p. 33-9.
    12. Vajaranant TS, Wu S, Torres M, Varma R. The changing face of primary open-angle glaucoma: demographic and geographic changes from 2011–2050. Am J Ophthalmol. 2012 Aug; 154 (2): 303–314.
    13. Vajaranant TS, Wu S, Torres M, Varma R. A 40-year forecast of the demographic shift in primary open-angle glaucoma in the United States. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 May 4; 53 (5): 2464–6.

    Acknowledgements

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology would like to thank the University of Illinois at Chicago for sharing their data on US eye disease statistics.

     

     

  • Most Commented
    Loading, please wait...
    There are no comments available.
    Most Viewed
    Loading, please wait...
    Most Viewed content is not available.
 
  • Contact Us
  • About the Academy
  • Jobs at the Academy
  • Financial Relationships with Industry
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Help
  • For Advertisers
  • For Media
  • Ophthalmology Job Center

OUR SITES

  • EyeWiki
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY

Medical Professionals

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Public & Patients

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Museum of the Eye

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Trip Advisor
  • Yelp
© American Academy of Ophthalmology 2021