According to a National Institutes of Health survey, 14 million Americans have some form of vision impairment. For more than 11 million, that vision impairment is uncorrected by glasses or contact lenses.
First Report in Three Decades
The National Institutes of Health arrived at those numbers based on reports of more than 13,500 patients who participated in visual acuity tests from 1999-2002. It was the first national survey measuring America's vision problems in at least three decades.
Expanded Vision Screenings
The study recommended that vision screening opportunities should be expanded, and suggested that efforts be made to increase public awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations.
Some Have More Eye Problems
The study also found that teenagers, diabetics, Hispanics, and the poor tend to have higher rates of vision impairment compared to the rest of the population.