Eye Conditions and Treatments

How many adults in the United States have some type of vision loss?

If you're experiencing vision loss it's helpful to know you're not alone:

• An estimated 285 million people in the world today are blind or have low vision (World Health Organization, 2010). Of that total, 39 million people are blind and 246 million people have moderate to severe visual impairment. (Note: WHO uses the term "visual impairment" to include both "low vision" and "blindness.")
• In the United States alone, the American Foundation for the Blind estimates that 21 million people of all ages have "trouble seeing," even with glasses and contact lenses.
• Among U.S. adults, the National Eye Institute and the American Foundation for the Blind estimate that 4.5 to 5.5 million people aged 40 and older are blind, have low vision, or experience age-related vision loss.

The National Eye Institute [1] reports:

• Diabetic retinopathy affects more than 5.3 million Americans age 18 and older;
• Cataracts affect 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older;
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration affects 1.6 million Americans over age 60;
• Glaucoma affects 2.2 million Americans; it is estimated that an additional 2 million aren't aware they have it.