Vision loss and blindness are among the top 10 disabilities in the United States.
Severe vision loss (SVL) and its correlation to poverty levels has been researched extensively, but it hadn’t yet been analyzed at the county-level around the United States. New data shows clear isolation in certain areas, particularly in the South.
The CDC analyzed data from the American Community Survey (ACS) to estimate SVL and its correlation to poverty levels for those over the age of 18.
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As the Centers for Disease Control noted in its recent report:
Vision loss often affects activities of daily living, leads to depression and social isolation, and increases the risk for falls and injuries. The U.S. government, in conjunction with the vision health communities, identified access to eye care services and the reduction of disparities in vision loss and as public health priorities in the Healthy People 2020 national health objectives. There are limited vision loss data and research at local levels.
Below are graphics that indicate both the correlation between vision loss and poverty as well as the concentration at the county level.
The figure above is a map of the United States showing percentages of persons aged ?18 years with severe vision loss, by county, in the United States during 2009-2013.
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The figure above is a map of the United States showing percentages of persons aged ?18 years with family income below poverty level, by county, in the United States during 2009-2013.
The figure above is a map of the United States showing counties in the top quartile for both severe vision loss and family income below poverty level in the United States during 2009-2013.
The data doesn’t indicate whether or not the relationship is purely causal – whether it’s people below the poverty level not having access to eye healthcare or those with vision loss not being below the poverty level due to their disability.
The CDC recommends that these findings could help encourage counties with high rates of severe vision loss to promote healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, understanding one’s family eye health history, using proper eye-safety practices and getting routine eye examinations. Acting at the local level could be more effective.
