Magnitude and Projections
Globally, 1.1 billion people live with vision loss.
At least 1 billion more need ongoing access to eye care services.
Distance vision
Almost 600 million people can’t see well in the distance
- 43 million people are blind
- 295 million people experience moderate to severe vision impairment
- 258 million people experience mild vision impairment.
Near vision
510 million people can’t see well at near
Everyone will lose their ability to focus on near objects as they age. This is easily treated with a pair of reading glasses.
Children and adolescents
90 million children and adolescents are affected
Of these:
- 2 million are blind
- 30 million experience moderate to severe vision loss
- 58 million experience mild vision loss.
Projections
1.1 billion to 1.7 billion people by 2050
All categories of vision loss are set to grow:
- Blindness: 43 million to 60 million people
- Moderate to severe vision impairment: 295 million to 474 million people
- Mild vision impairment: 258 million to 360 million people
- Near vision impairment: 510 million to 864 million people.
Find out more
Maintaining healthy vision
Billions more people require ongoing access to eye care services
For example, there are currently:
- at least 4 billion people with myopia
- 1 billion people with corrected presbyopia
- 146 million people with early stage diabetic retinopathy
- 76 million people with early stage glaucoma.
These people all require regular eye care services to prevent vision loss and maintain healthy eyes and vision.
How to cite the maps and VLEG/GBD 2020 data
Bourne, Rupert, Jaimie Adelson, Seth Flaxman, Paul S. Briant, Hugh R. Taylor, Robert J. Casson, et al. Trends in Prevalence of Blindness and Distance and Near Vision Impairment Over 30 Years and Contribution to the Global Burden of Disease in 2020. The Lancet Global Health, 2020. Advanced online publication doi:10.2139/ssrn.3582742
Photo Credits
Eye chart image: David Travis, ‘Near vision’ image: Anurag Kumar, ‘Projections’ and ‘Maintaining Healthy Vision’: Graham Coates, Volunteer for Vision Aid Overseas and Nepal eyecare trip
