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If you wear eyeglasses, you may wonder how many other people rely on vision correction. Over half the population in many countries uses glasses, contacts, or has had corrective surgery.
This article reviews current statistics to provide a clear picture of vision correction use in the United States and around the globe.
Vision Correction Use in the United States
Quantifying the number of people who wear glasses is tricky on a global scale due to a lack of international data. Looking at the United States provides a clear sample size.
According to research from The Vision Council, over 92 percent of the adult population in the United States uses some form of eyewear regularly. This includes prescription glasses, contact lenses, or non-prescription options like reading glasses and sunglasses.
When focusing specifically on prescription eyewear:
- Approximately 64 percent of US adults wear prescription eyeglasses. This equals roughly 168 million people.
- About 15 percent of US adults wear prescription contact lenses.
These figures show that relying on some form of vision correction is the norm, not the exception, across the country.
Use of Vision Correction by Age Group
The need for glasses generally rises with age, but modern life has increased the need for vision correction among younger groups as well.
- Children and Teens – A 2019 report showed that over 25 percent of American children between 2 and 17 years old wore glasses or contact lenses. For both boys and girls, the percentage of children who needed vision correction rose steadily with age.
- Older Adults – The reliance on glasses is highest among older Americans. Studies show that over 92 percent of people aged 65 or older use glasses to correct their vision. This high number is mostly due to presbyopia, a natural age-related condition that causes near vision to blur.
The Global Need for Vision Correction
The numbers for actual glasses wearers differ significantly from the number of people who need glasses. Many people who could benefit from a visual aid do not have access to treatment.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
- At least 2.2 billion people worldwide have a vision impairment that affects near or distance sight.
- For about one billion of those people, vision impairment could have been prevented or has not been treated yet.
Uncorrected refractive errors are a leading cause of this global vision problem. The WHO estimates that 4 billion people across the globe wear glasses, and projections suggest that half of the planet will require glasses by 2050. This rise is largely driven by increasing rates of nearsightedness worldwide.
Why People Need Glasses
People need glasses for two main issues: refractive errors and other eye conditions.
Refractive Errors
A refractive error happens when the shape of the eye prevents light from focusing correctly on the retina. This causes blurry vision. Refractive errors are the most common reason people need glasses.
Myopia (Nearsightedness)
- Myopia causes distant objects to look out of focus while close objects remain clear. This happens when the eye focuses light in front of the retina. The prevalence of myopia is rising quickly around the world. Studies show that roughly 12 percent of children and 27 percent of adults globally are nearsighted.
Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
- Hyperopia causes the eye to focus light past the retina. This makes close-up text appear blurry while distant objects are clear. This condition affects about 5 percent of children and 31 percent of adults worldwide.
Astigmatism
- This occurs when the cornea has an irregular curve, which causes light to bend abnormally. Astigmatism prevents light from focusing correctly on a single point. Studies indicate that approximately 40 percent of adults have astigmatism globally.
Presbyopia
- This condition is similar to farsightedness because it causes near vision to blur. However, presbyopia is not caused by eye shape. It happens naturally as people age, usually after the age of 40, when the lens loses its flexibility. Researchers estimate that roughly 1.8 billion people worldwide had presbyopia in 2015.
Other Conditions
Refractive errors are not the only cause of vision issues. Other eye conditions may also require corrective lenses.
- Eye Strain – Even people without refractive errors can suffer from eye strain, often from excessive digital device use. An eye doctor may recommend specific glasses to treat this, such as reading glasses or lenses designed to reduce fatigue.
- Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) – Amblyopia is a vision impairment that usually affects one eye. It happens when the brain ignores signals from one eye. Depending on the cause, an eye doctor may prescribe glasses to treat the condition.
- Strabismus (Crossed Eyes) – Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes. One eye may turn inward, outward, or at an angle. It is estimated that about 2 percent of people globally have some form of strabismus.
Final Thoughts
The data shows that a vast majority of the population relies on some form of vision correction. The global problem is not just about the number of people who wear glasses, but the one billion people who need help and have not received treatment. Getting a regular eye exam is the best way to monitor your vision and ensure you have the correct prescription to keep your eyes healthy and clear.
