Prevalence of Visual Impairment and Selected Eye Diseases Among Persons Aged >/=50 Years with and Without Diabetes--United States, 2002

Visual impairment and blindness affect an estimated 3.4 million U.S. adults aged >/=40 years. The leading causes of visual impairment and blindness are diabetic retinopathy and age-related eye diseases (e.g., cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma). Diabetes affects approximately 18 million U.S. adults, of whom an estimated 30% have undiagnosed diabetes, and imposes an increased risk for eye disease. To characterize the prevalence of visual impairment and selected eye diseases (i.e., diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma) among persons aged >50 years with and without diabetes, CDC analyzed data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). This report summarizes the findings of that analysis, which identified a substantially higher prevalence of visual impairment and eye disease among those with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. Measures are needed to increase comprehensive eye examinations, especially among adults at high risk for blindness and visual impairment (e.g., persons aged >/=65 years and those with diabetes).