Key points
- The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a national survey that monitors the health of the U.S. population.
- NHIS data are used for VEHSS indicators under the following topics: Vision Problems and Blindness, Vision Care Services, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma.
Where the data come from
NHIS monitors the health of the U.S. population through the collection and analysis of data on a broad range of health topics. The survey has been conducted since 1957, and since 1960 has been conducted by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). NHIS data are used widely by the Department of Health and Human Services and the public health research community to monitor trends in illness and disability and to track progress toward achieving national health objectives. NHIS includes a limited number of vision-related questions annually and periodically includes a larger battery of vision questions.
Analysis overview
VEHSS analyzed NHIS data for select supplemental vision questions fielded in 2016, 2017, and 2023. These include questions on vision and eyecare services, impacts of vision on activities of daily living, use of precautionary eye protection, diagnosed eye diseases, and vision loss from eye diseases. VEHSS estimated prevalences using NCHS public use files for pooled 2016 and 2017 data and for 2023 data.
Estimates are suppressed where relevant based on the National Center for Health Statistics Data Presentation Standards for Proportions.
2016–2017 (Pooled) NHIS variables analyzed in VEHSS
| VEHSS Topic – Category | VEHSS Indicator | NHIS Variable | NHIS Question Text | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vision Care Services – Eye Injury Prevention | Percentage of children (ages 6-17) who participate in sports, hobbies, or other activities that can cause eye injury | CVISACT | Does [NAME] participate in sports, hobbies, or other activities that can cause eye injury? This includes activities such as baseball, basketball, soccer and mowing the lawn. | Children aged 6-17 years |
| Vision Care Services – Eye Injury Prevention | Percentage of children (ages 6-17) who participate in sports, hobbies, or other activities that can cause eye injury that wear eye protection | CVISPROT | When doing these activities, on average, does [he/she] wear eye protection always, most of the time, some of the time, or none of the time? | Children aged 6-17 years who said YES to CVISACT |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who even when wearing glasses or contact lenses find it difficult to read ordinary print in newspapers | AVDF_NWS | [Fill 1: Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight,/ Fill 2: Because of your eyesight,] how difficult is it for you to read ordinary print in newspapers | Adults aged 18 years and older who report they are not blind or unable to see at all |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who when wearing glasses or contact lenses find it difficult to do work or hobbies that require them to see well up close | AVDF_CLS | [Fill 1: Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight,/ Fill 2: Because of your eyesight,] how difficult is it for you to do work or hobbies require you to see well up close such as cooking, sewing, fixing things around the house or using hand tools | Adults aged 18 years and older who report they are not blind or unable to see at all |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who even when wearing glasses or contact lenses find it difficult to go down steps, stairs, or curbs in dim light or at night | AVDF_NIT | [Fill 1: Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight,/ Fill 2: Because of your eyesight,] how difficult is it for you to go down steps, stairs, or curbs in dim light or at night | Adults aged 18 years and older who report they are not blind or unable to see at all |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who even when wearing glasses or contact lenses find it difficult to find something on a crowded shelf | AVDF_CRD | [Fill 1: Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight,/ Fill 2: Because of your eyesight, ] how difficult is it for you to find something on a crowded shelf | Adults aged 18 years and older who report they are not blind or unable to see at all |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who even when wearing glasses or contact lenses find it difficult to drive during daytime in familiar places | AVDF_DRV | [Fill 1: Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight,/ Fill 2: Because of your eyesight,] how difficult is it for you to drive during daytime in familiar places | Adults aged 18 years and older who report they are not blind or unable to see at all |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who even when wearing glasses or contact lenses find it difficult to notice objects off to the side | AVDF_PER | [Fill 1: Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight,/ Fill 2: Because of your eyesight,] how difficult is it for you to notice objects off to the side while you are walking along | Adults aged 18 years and older who report they are not blind or unable to see at all |
| Vision Care Services – Eye Injury Prevention | Percentage of adults who participate in sports, hobbies, or other activities that can cause eye injury outside of work | AVISACT | Outside of work, do you participate in sports, hobbies, or other activities that can cause eye injury? This includes activities such as baseball, basketball, mowing the lawn, wood working, or working with chemicals. | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Care Services – Eye Injury Prevention | Proportion of adults who participate in activities which may cause injury that wear eye protection | AVISPROT | When doing these activities, on average, do you wear eye protection always, most of the time, some of the time, or none of the time? | Adults aged 18 years and older who said Yes to AVISACT |
2023 NHIS variables analyzed in VEHSS
| VEHSS Topic – Category | VEHSS Indicator | NHIS Variable | NHIS Question Text | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) | Percentage of adults ever told by a doctor or other health professional they had macular degeneration (NHIS Adult Module) | VIMMDEV_A | Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had macular degeneration? | Adults aged 45 years and older |
| Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of people with diagnosed macular degeneration who report losing vision due to macular degeneration | VIMLSMD_A | Have you lost any vision due to macular degeneration? | Adults aged 45 years and older with macular degeneration |
| Cataract | Percentage of adults ever told by a doctor or other health professional they had cataracts or had cataract surgery (NHIS Adult Module) | VIMCAEV_A, VIMCSURG_A | Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had cataracts? Have you ever had surgery to remove cataracts? | Adults aged 45 years and older |
| Cataract, Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of people with diagnosed cataract who report losing vision due to cataracts | VIMLSCA_A | Have you lost any vision due to cataracts? | Adults aged 45 years and older with cataracts |
| Cataract Treatment | Percentage of adults who ever had cataract surgery (NHIS Adult Module) | VIMCSURG_A | Have you ever had surgery to remove cataracts? | Adults aged 45 years and older |
| Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) | Percentage of adults ever told by a doctor or other health professional they had diabetic retinopathy (NHIS Adult Module) | VIMDREV_A | Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had diabetic retinopathy? | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of people with diagnosed diabetic retinopathy who report losing vision due to diabetic retinopathy | VIMLSDR_A | Have you lost any vision due to diabetic retinopathy? | Adults aged 18 years and older with diabetic retinopathy |
| Glaucoma | Percentage of adults ever told by a doctor or other health professional they had glaucoma (NHIS Adult Module) | VIMGLEV_A | Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had glaucoma? | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Glaucoma, Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of people with diagnosed glaucoma who report losing vision due to glaucoma | VIMLSGL_A | Have you lost any vision due to glaucoma? | Adults aged 18 years and older with glaucoma |
| Vision Care Services – Eye Exams | Percentage of adults that had an eye exam from an eye specialist such as an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor about their health in the past 12 months | EYEEX12M_A | During the past 12 months, have you had an eye exam from an eye specialist such as an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor? | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Care Services – Eye Exams | Percentage of children that had an eye exam from an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor in the past 12 months | EYEEX12M_C | During the past 12 months, has <child name> had an eye exam from an eye specialist such as an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or eye doctor? | Children aged 0–17 years |
| Vision Care Services – Eye Exams | Percentage of adults that had an eye exam in which the pupils were dilated using eye drops less than 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 5 years, or 5+ years ago | AVISEXAM_A | When was the last time you had an eye exam in which the pupils were dilated using eye drops? This may have made you temporarily sensitive to bright light | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Care Services – Glasses or Contacts | Percentage of children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses (NHIS Child Module) | WEARGLSS_C | Does <child> wear glasses (or contact lenses)? | Children aged 2–17 years |
| Vision Care Services – Glasses or Contacts | Percentage of adults who currently wear eyeglasses or contact lenses (NHIS Adult Module) | WEARGLSS_A | Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Care Services – Glasses or Contacts | Percentage of adults who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to read books or newspapers, write, or do other things that require them to see well up close | VIMREAD_A | Do you wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to read books or newspapers, write, or do other things that require you to see up close, such as cooking, sewing or fixing things? | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Care Services – Glasses or Contacts | Percentage of children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to read books, write, use smartphones, iPads or other electronic devices, or do other things that require them to see well up close | CVISREAD_C | Does <child name> wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to read books, write, use smartphones, iPads or other electronic devices, or do other things that require <him/her> to see well up close? | Children aged 0–17 years |
| Vision Care Services – Glasses or Contacts | Percentage of adults who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to drive, read road and street signs, watch TV, or see things in the distance | VIMDRIVE_A | Do you wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to drive, read road and street signs, watch TV, or see things in the distance? | Adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Care Services – Glasses or Contacts | Percentage of children who wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to read road and street signs, see the board in school, watch TV, or see things in the distance | CVISDIST_C | Does <child name> wear prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to read road and street signs, see the board in school, watch TV, or see things in the distance? | Children aged 0–17 years |
| Vision Care Services – Low Vision Aids | Proportion of persons with trouble seeing who were told by doctor that vision rehabilitation services or adaptive devices are available to help with vision difficulties | AVISSADV_A | Has a health professional EVER advised you that vision rehabilitation services and assistive, adaptive, or accessibility devices are available to help with your vision difficulties? | Adults aged 18 years and older with any vision difficulty who do not use rehabilitation services or assistive devices |
| Vision Care Services – Low Vision Aids | Proportion of persons who have trouble seeing who use adaptive devices | AVISDEV_A | Do you use any assistance or adaptive devices, such as telescopic or other prescriptive lenses, magnifiers, large print or talking materials, closed-circuit television or video magnifier, screen reader, white cane, or guide dog? | Adults aged 18 years and older with any vision difficulty |
| Vision Care Services – Low Vision Aids | Proportion of persons who have trouble seeing who use vision rehabilitation services | AVISREH_A | Do you use any vision rehabilitation services, such as job training, counseling, or training in daily living skills and mobility? | Adults aged 18 years and older with any vision difficulty |
| Vision Care Services – Screening Services | Percentage of children who ever had their vision tested by a doctor or other health professional | CVISTST_C | Has <child name> had his/her vision tested by a doctor or other health professional? | Sample children aged 0–17 years |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of adults who have difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses or contact lenses | VISIONDF_A | Do you have difficulty seeing (even when wearing glasses or contact lenses)? Would you say no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or you cannot do this at all? | Sample adults aged 18 years and older |
| Vision Problems and Blindness | Percentage of children who have difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses or contact lenses | VISIONDF_C | (When wearing glasses (or contact lenses) does <child> have difficulty seeing? Would you say <child> has: no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or cannot do this at all? | Sample children aged 2–17 years |
Available geographic level
- National
Data definitions
Age Group, Years (Varies by Question)
Sex
Race and Ethnicity
Risk Factors
Data Type
A detailed description of the analytical steps is described in the report "VEHSS Survey Analysis Plan."
Full analysis documentation is included in the "VEHSS NHIS Data Report."
NHIS is a nationally representative sample. Responses are either self-reported, or for children a parent or guardian responds on behalf of the child. The self-report measures represent indicators that cannot be directly translated into the prevalence of clinically defined visual impairment or blindness.
Please see the full VEHSS NHIS data analysis report for additional details on the VEHSS analysis of the NHIS.
Content Source
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: August 12, 2026
This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.
Reviewed: August 12, 2026
The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.