On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Data Source: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS
Baseline: 39.0 per 1,000 children and adolescents aged 17 years and under were blind or visually impaired in 2019
Target: 31.2 per 1,000
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2019 National Health Interview Survey:
Numerator and Denominator:
Does {child's name} wear glasses or contact lenses?- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
If answered "yes" (1) then asked:
Does [child's name] have difficulty seeing? Would you say {child's name} has: no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or he/she cannot do this at all ?- No difficulty
- Some difficulty
- A lot of difficulty
- Cannot do at all
- Refused
- Don't know
Methodology notes
If parent or responsible adult answered that the child was wearing glasses then they were asked the second question whether the child had any difficulty seeing. Those children who had some difficulty, a lot of difficulty or cannot see at all were included in the numerator as children with visual impairment and blindness.
History
- Revised.
In 2021, this objective was revised due to the 2019 NHIS redesign and survey question changes. The baseline questions changed from: "Does {child's name} have any trouble seeing even when wearing glasses or contact lenses?" to "Does {child name} wear glasses?" and Does [child's name] have difficulty seeing? Would you say {child's name} has: no difficulty, some difficulty, a lot of difficulty, or he/she cannot do this at all?” The baseline was revised from 38.0% in 2017 to 39.0% in 2019. The target was revised from 30.4% to 31.2% using the original target setting method.
- Revised.
In 2024, the following categories were recalculated with the use of a newer variable: American Indian or Alaska Native only, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, 2 or more races only, Not Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaska Native only, Not Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, Not Hispanic or Latino 2 or more races only. Estimates from data year 2021 or earlier may vary slightly from estimates previously reported. The baseline, baseline year and target were not affected.