John Elflein
Research expert covering health and health care
Vision problems in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
Vision loss is relatively common around the world and can happen gradually or suddenly and be mild or severe. Some of the leading causes of gradual vision loss are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Worldwide, it is estimated that almost 258 million people suffer from mild vision impairment, while 295 million have moderate or severe vision impairment, and 43 million are blind. Vision limitations tend to increase with age and are more prevalent among women than men. Although vision limitations and loss can be life-altering, many cases can be prevented and treated, although timing and access to care are essential.
How many people have a vision disability in the United States?
As of 2021, it was estimated that around eight million people in the United States had a vision disability, meaning they were blind or had serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses. The states with the highest share of the population with a vision disability are Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. In Mississippi, around 4.4 percent of the population had a vision disability as of 2021. Among older adults in the United States, the leading cause of vision loss is age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although AMD does not cause complete blindness it can lead to severe vision loss that makes it difficult to read, drive, or see faces. In 2019, around 18.3 million adults aged 40 years and older in the United States suffered from non-vision threatening AMD. As the name suggests, the risk of developing AMD increases significantly with age. In fact, it is estimated that up to 60 percent of those aged 95 to 99 years in the U.S. have AMD compared to 13 percent of those aged 65 to 69 years.Diabetic retinopathy
Another major cause of vision loss in the United States is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina of people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with injections, laser treatment, and eye surgery, but because early stages may not have symptoms, it is important for people with diabetes to get tested at least once a year to start preventing or delaying vision loss as soon as possible. As of 2021, around 9.6 million people in the United States had diabetic retinopathy, with 1.8 million of these cases vision-threatening. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases the longer a person has diabetes, with around 30 percent of those in the U.S. with diabetes aged 75 to 79 years suffering from the condition. Diabetes is an increasing problem in the United States so the number of people at risk of developing vision loss from diabetic retinopathy continues to grow. As of 2021, around 8.5 percent of the U.S. population had been diagnosed with diabetes.
