Final Review of Healthy People 2010 Vision objectives: Are We There Yet?

Vision loss is a major public health problem in the U.S. An estimated 1.1 million Americans are legally blind, and 19 million are visually impaired. Reflecting the importance of vision health, vision objectives were included among the national health goals, for the first time, in Healthy People 2010 (HP2010).

HP2010 vision objectives represent the first comprehensive look at vision health promotion and vision loss prevention at the national level. There are 10 vision objectives for adults and 3 for children. During the decade CDC in collaboration with the NIH's National Eye Institute identified the national data sources for all vision objectives and used the National Health Interview Survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System data to measure their progress towards HP2010 targets.

Based on the Final HP2010 review three objectives (visual impairment due to diabetic retinopathy, use of protective eyewear and rehabilitation services among adults) met the target. Two objectives (vision screening among children and occupational eye injuries) improved, and one (use of visual and adaptive devices) moved away from HP2010 target. The remaining objectives including visual impairment due to age-related eye diseases and use of dilated eye examination showed no significant changes.

HP2010 Vision objectives, retained or modified, are included in Healthy People 2020 vision topic area, setting targets for the next decade. These objectives provide a framework for public and private sector partners to design and implement healthy vision initiatives and foster the inclusion of vision in public health promotion.