Prevalence of visual impairment due to uncorrected refractive errors in the United States

Refractive errors (RE) are one of the most common and correctable causes of visual impairment in the United States. Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are the most common forms of vision correction due to refractive error. More than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear, spending more than $15 billion on eyewear each year.

Healthy People 2010 have objective 28-3 - reducing uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors. Since 1999 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional nationally representative survey, includes visual acuity examination. The 1999-2002 and 2003-06 data were analyzed using SUDAAN to estimate prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors by demographic characteristics and diagnosed diabetes.

Among US population 12 years and older, the estimated prevalence of uncorrected refractive errors was 11.8% in 1999-02 and 13.0% in 2003-06. Women were more likely than men to have uncorrected RE. Uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors was more common in persons aged 12 to 19 and those 60 years and older than among persons aged 20 to 59 years. People with diabetes had higher rates of uncorrected refractive errors than people who did not have diabetes (17.9% versus 12.9%). Uncorrected refractive errors were also more prevalent among certain racial and ethnic groups as well as lower income levels. These individuals can benefit from the appropriate corrective eyewear.

The NHANES provides the most recent national data on measured visual impairment caused by uncorrected refractive errors and allow monitoring the progress made towards Healthy People 2010 objective.