Data and Statistics

New York State Estimates and Resources

These estimates are for adult New Yorkers aged 40 years and older:

• 14.9% have a distance vision impairment (PDF)
• 4.1% have age-related macular degeneration (PDF)
• 19% have cataract (PDF)
• 2.9% have diabetic retinopathy (PDF)
• 5.3% have glaucoma (PDF)
• 3.5 million people over the age of 40 suffer from visual impairment (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System,  2006-2008)

Additional estimates on the prevalence of vision impairment and age-related eye diseases for New York are available through the following resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vision Health Initiative
• Vision Impairment and Access to Eye Care, NYSDOH, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (PDF)
• Vision Problems in the U.S, Prevent Blindness America.

National Estimates and Resources

• 4.6 million Americans over the age of 40 are visually impaired or blind
• 44 million Americans over the age of 40 are near- or farsighted
• 2 million Americans over the age of 50 have age-related macular degeneration
• 22 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataract
• 4.5 million Americans over the age of 40 have diabetic retinopathy
• 2.3 million Americans over the age of 40 have glaucoma
• Amblyopia affects approximately 2-3% of the population.

The following resources contain national, and in some cases, state level data on the prevalence of eye diseases and conditions and its impact.

• American Foundation for the Blind
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Vision Health Initiative
• Economic Impact of Visual Impairment and Blindness in the United States
• National Eye Institute
• Prevent Blindness America, Vision Problems in the U.S