Facts and figures on the 21.2 million people with vision loss in the United States

The primary focus of the American Foundation for the Blind’s Public Policy Center is programs affecting education and rehabilitation of persons with vision loss, as well as laws that relate to economic status and civil rights. However, advocates, researchers, and other investigators often require specific information about disability prevalence rates. This page is intended to provide advocates, researchers, and other investigators with information about the prevalence rates of vision loss in the United States.

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 was collected, populations surveyed, and other features of data sources. AFB urges investigators to pay attention to this detailed background information provided along with each estimate.