100+ Statistics On Blindness In The U.S.

Vision disability is one of the top 10 disabilities for adults over the age of 18. Thousands of eye injuries happen every day because of things like workplace accidents and injuries at home. 60% of workers who sustained eye injuries were not wearing any eye protection at the time of the injury.

In addition to injuries, millions of Americans struggle with vision loss and blindness as a result of age-related eye problems for which eye care insurance can cover the cost of treatment.

Blindness by Age

Blindness and vision loss generally affects older individuals, over the age of 40 at a higher rate than younger individuals primarily due to vision loss and blindness caused by health conditions like diabetes.

The table below compares the rates of vision loss and blindness among different age groups:

Source: CDC

Let’s look at how that data breaks down a bit more.

• 0.73%: 0.73% of the population aged 0 to 11 struggles with vision loss.
• 0.05% : 0.05% of the population aged 0 to 11 is blind.
• 0.98%: 0.98% of the population aged 12 to 17 struggles with vision loss.
• 0.09%: 0.09% of the population between ages 12 and 17 is blind.
• 1.08%: 1.08% of the population between the ages of 18 and 24 has vision loss.
• 0.10%: 0.10% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 are blind.
• 1.06%: 1.06% of individuals between 25 and 29 have vision loss.
• 0.10%: 0.10% of individuals between 25 and 29 are blind.
• 1.03%: 1.03% of people between 30 and 34 have vision loss.
• 0.10%: 0.10% of those between the ages of 30 and 34 are blind.
• 1.02%: 1.02% of people between the age of 35 and 39 have vision loss.
• 0.11%: 0.11% of those between the ages of 35 and 39 are blind.
• 1.01%: 1.01% of people ages 40-44 have vision loss.
• 0.11%: 0.1% of people ages 40-44 struggle with blindness.
• 0.98%: 0.98% of people between 45 and 49 have vision loss.
• 0.11%: 0.11% of people aged 45 through 49 are blind.
• 0.98%: 0.98% of people between 50 and 54 have vision loss.
• 0.11%: 0.11% of people aged 50 through 54 are blind.
• 1.01%: 1.01% of the population aged 55 to 59 struggles with vision loss.
• 0.12%:  0.12% of the population aged 55 to 59 is blind.
• 2.09%: 2.09% of the population aged 60 to 64 struggles with vision loss.
• 0.28%: 0.28% of the population aged 60 to 64 is blind.
• 3.93%: 3.93% of Americans aged 65-69 struggles with vision loss.
• 0.57%: 0.57% of Americans aged 65-69 is blind.
• 5.90%: 5,90% of Americans aged 70-74 struggle with vision loss.
• 0.89%: 0.89% of Americans aged 70-74 is blind.
• 8.09%: 8.09% of people ages 75-79 have vision loss.
• 1.26%: 1.26% of people ages 75-79 struggle with blindness.
• 12.44%: 12.44% of the population aged 80-84 struggle with vision loss.
• 2.22%: 2.22% of the population aged  80-84 is blind.
• 20.65%: 20.65% of those over the age of 85 have vision loss.
• 5.53%: 5.53% of people over the age of 85 are blind.
• 5x: 5x more individuals with vision loss are over 40 compared to under 40.
• 15%: 15% of individuals who are blind or under the age of 40.

Blindness by Gender

The prevalence of vision loss and blindness in the United States affects different demographics to hire degrees.

• Females: Females are more likely to experience permanent vision loss or blindness than males.
• 4,141,824: 4,141,824 women have vision loss in the U.S.
• 640,278: 640,278 women are blind in the U.S.
• 2.5%: 2.5% of the female population struggles with vision loss.
• 0.39%: 0.39% of the female population is blind.
• 1.82%: 1.82% of the male population struggles with vision loss.
• 0.29%: 0.29% of the male population is blind.
• 2,911,182: 2,911,182 men have vision loss in the U.S.
• 457,575: 457,575 men in the U.S. are blind.

Source: CDC

Blindness by Race/Ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino and black individuals are more likely to experience vision loss compared to White individuals.

The table below compares the rates of vision loss and blindness among Black (Non-Hispanic), Hispanic, White (Non-Hispanic), and other groups:

Source: CDC

The prevalence of vision loss and blindness as a percentage of the US population indicates the following:

• 2.54%: 2.54% of the Black (Non-Hispanic) population struggles with vision loss.
• 0.42%: 0.42% of the Black (Non-Hispanic) population is blind.
• 2.15%: 2.15% of the Hispanic population struggles with vision loss.
• 0.22%: 0.22% of the Hispanic population is blind.
• 2.16%: 2.16% of the White (Non-Hispanic) population has vision loss.
• 0.38%: 0.38% of the White (Non-Hispanic) population is blind.
• 1.73%: 1.73% of all other races have vision loss.
• 0.19%: 0.19% of the population of other races is blind.

Source: CDC

Blindness by State

According to recent census data, California, Texas, and Florida are the top three states when it comes to the number of people with a visual disability. It’s important to keep in mind that this statistic is also heavily correlated to the higher populations of each state, with California being the most heavily populated state.

By comparison, Vermont, North Dakota, and Wyoming have the lowest rates of visual disabilities but they also have significantly lower population densities.

Source: Census

Statistics of Americans with Visual Impairments and Blindness

Vision loss is considered 20/40 or worse.

• 1.6 million: 1.6 million Americans struggling with vision loss or blindness are under the age of 40.
• 6 million: 6 million Americans struggle with vision loss.
• 350,000: 350,000 people with blindness or vision loss reside in community settings like prisons or nursing homes.
• 20%: 20% of Americans over the age of 85 will experience permanent vision loss.

Source: CDC

Blindness is considered visual acuity of 20/200 or worse.

• 250 million: Around the world, over 250 million people live with vision loss or blindness, but in America, that figure is over 8 million.
• 1 million: Over 1 million adults in America have blindness.

Source: JAMA

Eye Injury Statistics

Eye injuries happen every day, at work, at home, and in sports.

Eye Injury Statistics at Work

According to the American Optometric Association, there are 2,000 job related eye injuries requiring medical treatment that happen on a daily basis. Common causes include:

1. Chemicals or foreign objects in the eye
2. Scratches to the cornea
3. Burns because of radiation, ultraviolet, or steam exposure
4. Infectious diseases spread to the eye

There are several types of jobs that increase the risk of an eye injury including:

1. Construction
2. Manufacturing
3. Mining
4. Carpentry
5. Auto repair
6. Electrical work
7. Plumbing
8. Welding
9. Maintenance
10. Computer work

Moreover, optometrists project that 90% could have been prevented by:

1. Wearing eye protection
2. Wearing the right kind of protection given your occupation

Eye injury statistics not only have severe vision and health problems for individuals but they come at a significant cost economically. individuals who struggle with eye injuries and vision loss can suffer significantly diminished quality of life, productivity, and disability.

• Top 10: Vision disability is one of the top 10 disabilities among adults 18 and older.
• 60%: 60% of workers with eye injuries were not wearing eye protection of any kind when they were injured.
• $373 billion: it is estimated that major vision problems will cost $373 billion by the year 2050.
• 35%: 35% of eye injuries happen to people between the ages of 18 and 45.
• 60%: 60% of eye injuries involve a foreign object in the eye, open wound, or contusion.
• 40%: 40% of eye injuries at home or work involve burns.
• 125,000: 125,000 eye injuries happen annually because of accidents at home with household items.
• 9%: 9% of eye injuries at home could have been prevented by wearing eye protection or using safe practices.
• 25,000: 25,000 eye injuries happen annually because of accidents with sports, usually with children.

Source: AOA; Preventblindness

Most Common Visual Impairments in the US

While there are roughly 1 million Americans over the age of 40 who struggle with blindness and a total of over 12 million people over the age of 40 who have vision problems, the number of people struggling with uncorrectable vision impairment or blindness is projected to double according to the CDC by the year 2050. The rapidly aging population across the United States and the increasing epidemic of chronic health issues, particularly diabetes, is contributing to this projection.

• 12 million: 12 million people who are older than 40 have vision problems.
• 3 million: 3 million people over the age of 40 have vision impairment despite having had corrections to their eyesight.
• 8 million: 8 million people over the age of 40 have vision impairment because of an uncorrected refractive error.
• 4.2 million: 4.2 million people over the age of 40 have an uncorrectable vision impairment for which there is no treatment.
• 1 million: 1 million people over the age of 40 are blind.

Source: CDC

According to the National Eye Institute, some of the most common causes of visual impairment and blindness include the following:

1. Macular degeneration: This is an age-related condition where the macula (a part of the retina) is damaged.
2. Cataracts: This is where the eye lens becomes cloudy and can, with time, interfere with daily activities and lead to blindness. It is common in older individuals, with 50% of adults 80 and older getting cataracts.
3. Diabetic retinopathy: This is a symptom of diabetes which causes vision loss and blindness by affecting the retinal blood vessels.
4. Glaucoma: This is an eye disease that starts slowly, damaging the optic nerve which connects to your eye.
5. Amblyopia: This is commonly known as a lazy eye, and it means vision loss or blindness in 1 eye or both eyes. This condition begins in childhood.
6. Astigmatism: This is a common eye condition that results from the lens and cornea not having the right shape. It can leave you with blurred or distorted vision but is easy to treat.

Source: NEI

Statistics on Eye Treatments

The table below offers information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for common eye conditions:

Source: NEI

There are different types of eye treatments available for various causes of vision loss and blindness. Diabetic vision loss, known as diabetic retinopathy, can be detected early and treated in a cost-effective manner. 90% of blindness caused by diabetes could be prevented.

The risk of age-related causes of vision loss and blindness like macular degeneration increases as you get older, and those with family histories, or poor physical health are at higher risks.

• 3: 3 out of every 100 children have amblyopia.
• 2-5: Americans with diabetes are 2-5 times more likely to develop cataracts.
• 2.7 million: 2.7 million adults in the US over the age of 40 have glaucoma.
• 24 million: 24 million Americans have cataracts over the age of 20.
• 50%: Nearly 50% of people over the age of 75 will have cataracts.
• 2x: You have a doubled risk of glaucoma if you have diabetes.
• 20 million: 20 million adults have age-related macular degeneration.
• 1.5 million: 1.5 million adults with age-related macular degeneration have advanced cases.
• 93 million: 93 million adults across the US are at high risk for vision loss.
• 45.6 million: Only 45.6 million adults have visited an eye doctor in the last year.
• 11%: Only 11% of Americans are aware that there are no early warning signs for things like diabetic vision loss or glaucoma related vision loss.
• 50%: 50% of Americans who do not visit an eye doctor annually don’t do so because of the cost.

Source: CDC; Gene

Vision Insurance Statistics

According to the NCBI, the cost of treatment for macular degeneration averages $15,000 per year, requiring three years of treatment. The cost varies based on the severity of the condition, where you live, and any medication received.

Insurance like Medicare covers 80% of these costs, with only 20% paid out of pocket. Other insurance providers will vary in terms of coverage.

Similarly, the average cost of cataract surgery, according to Medical News Today, is around $2,300 but this is based on the location, insurance, and whether you need medication after.

As most conditions that result in vision loss or blindness have late signs of development, it is important to recognize those signs and get treatment as soon as possible to reduce costs.

Unfortunately many people without health insurance or vision insurance will avoid getting the help they need which can lead to increased vision loss and potential blindness. The NIH has found that those with lower education, lack of insurance, or with no reported visual impairment were the least likely to use any form of eye care, checkups, or treatment.

• 58.3%: 58.3% of individuals with severe visual impairment use their eye care insurance.
• 49.6%: 49.6% of individuals with some visual impairment use their eye care insurance.
• 33.7%: 33.7% of individuals with no visual impairment use their eye care insurance coverage.
• 35.9%: 35.9% of people with severe visual impairment seek treatment without health insurance.
• 23.8%: 23.8% of people with some visual impairment seek treatment without health insurance.
• 14.3%: 14.3% of people without any visual impairment seek treatment despite not having eye care insurance.
• 1 out of 3: Only one out of three adults in America without insurance will get treatment for severe visual impairment.
• 2 out of 3: Two out of three adults in America will use their eye care insurance to treat severe visual impairment.
• 1 out of 3: Around one in three Adults with eye care insurance will get treatment for moderate visual impairment.
• 1 out of 5: Only one out of every five adults in America without insurance will get treatment for moderate visual impairment.
• 1 out of 3: One out of three adults in America will get exams and preventative care for vision loss/blindness with eye care insurance.
• 1 out of 6: Only one out of every six adults in America without insurance will get exams or preventative care for visual impairment.

Source: NIH