Vision Statistics in Illinois

Looking at vision health as one ages is important in Illinois. In 2018, 3.97% of people aged 40-64 and 7.75% of people aged 65+ in Illinois were blind or had difficulty seeing. 

Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of vision problems, affecting one's vision health. These risk factors include:

• a family history of eye issues 
• diabetes
• alcoholism 

Can all affect your vision health. 

In Illinois in 2018, the percentage of people who were blind or had difficulty seeing was almost twice as high for those with diabetes (8.23%) compared to the overall population (4.17%), indicating that having diabetes increases the risk of vision problems in that state.³ 

Smoking also has effects on vision health. It increases the risk of vision problems. 

In Illinois in 2018, the percentage of people who were blind or had difficulty seeing was higher among those who smoked tobacco (6.22%) compared to the overall population (4.17%), indicating that smoking increases the risk of vision problems by approximately 2%.³

Difficulty Seeing or Blindness Statistics for Illinois

Here are some important statistics regarding difficulty seeing and blindness:²

• In 2018, Illinois had 4.17% of the population reporting as blind or having difficulty seeing even with glasses
• This number was 2.46% for those aged 18 to 39
• The age range of 40-64 reported this number as 3.97%
• Those older than 65 reported a number of 7.75%

Age-Related Vision Issues

Common vision issues that increase with age are:^4,7

• Glaucoma is an eye condition that leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss.
• Cataracts are cloudy patches in the eye's lens that cause blurry or dim vision. 
• Age-related macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects the macula. It causes central vision loss.
• Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina. It can cause blurred vision or even blindness.
• Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These errors cause blurred vision.

How Risk Factors Other Than Age Affect Vision

Sometimes, other factors other than age affect your vision. For instance:³

• In 2018, the number of people with diabetes reported blind or difficulty in Illinois seeing even with corrective lenses as 8.23%
• For those who smoke in Illinois, the percentage was 6.22

Children's Vision Health Statistics for Illinois

Vision health while young can significantly impact a person's overall quality of life when they are older. Poor vision health in youth can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness later in life. 

Here are some statistics on children's vision health in Illinois:⁴

• In Illinois, 66.86% have ever had their vision tested in 2017
• In 2017, 1.02% of children under 18 were blind or had problems seeing even with glasses
• In the United States in 2017, 24.46% of children who needed vision care in the preceding 12 months didn?t receive it. 

Children, teens, and adults must take preventative measures to protect their vision and maintain clear eyesight. 

Preventative Measures for Optimal Vision Health

Here are some ways to keep your vision healthy as you age:⁷

• Get regular eye exams. Regular eye exams can help detect vision problems early on.
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Sun exposure can damage the eyes. Make sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection when outside.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your eyes.
• Quit smoking. If you're a smoker, quitting can help reduce your risk of developing age-related vision problems.
• Take breaks when using digital devices. Staring at screens for too long can strain your eyes. Take breaks every 20 minutes or so.

Summary

Your vision health is important, no matter how old you are. Certain risk factors can increase your chance of vision problems even more, such as smoking and diabetes.

The statistics above show the importance of caring for your vision health and getting regular eye exams. As you age, getting regular vision exams and taking preventive measures to protect your vision is very important.