Statistical Snapshots

This page is maintained by AFB's Public Policy Center

Statistical Snapshots is your one-stop source for statistical facts, figures, and resources about Americans with vision loss. Relying upon the most recently available data, this regularly updated site is always evolving and should answer your most frequently asked questions.

We encourage you to visit Statistical Snapshots often, but we also want your feedback. Tell us about what statistical information you think is missing, unclear, or that you would like to know more about. To submit your questions or comments and help us enrich this valuable resource, e-mail Jennifer Howard, MPP, MSW, Senior Policy Research Associate (jhoward@afb.net ) and include the word "stats" in the subject line of your message.

Statistical Snapshots provides a wide variety of information and tools addressing the most commonly asked questions. For example, findings from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Provisional Report established that an estimated 25.2 million adult Americans reported they either "have trouble" seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, or that they are blind or unable to see at all.

Please note that estimates of the number of people experiencing vision loss differ based on the definitions of vision loss used, as well as on the dates the data were collected, populations surveyed, and other features of data sources. AFB urges investigators to pay attention to the detailed background information provided along with each estimate.