Download Current vision loss statistics for Canada

CNIB Fact Sheet
Web: cnib.ca
Email:
[email protected]/ontario
CNIB Contact Centre:
1-800-563-2642
Current vision loss statistics for Canada:
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As the population ages, Canada faces a growing crisis in vision health.
Today in Canada, someone begins to lose their sight every 10 minutes.
Approximately half a million Canadians currently live with significant vision loss
that impacts their quality of life – a figure that’s poised to increase significantly
over the next 25 years as Canada’s population ages.
Almost one third of Canadians with vision loss are under 25 years of age.
5.5 million Canadians have one of the four major vision eye diseases – agerelated macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and
cataracts – and are at serious risk of losing their vision in the future.
Over the next decade, the prevalence of vision loss in Canada is expected to
increase by nearly 30 per cent.
Nearly 14% of Canadians are 65 or older – a figure that will double in the next
25 years.
Higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes also places more Canadians at risk of
developing vision loss in the future.
The human impact of vision loss:
Vision loss affects every aspect of a person’s life, and can jeopardize their
safety, mobility and independence. Everyday activities sighted people take
for granted – such as simply walking down the street, taking medication or
preparing meals – can become incredibly challenging, leading to accidents
and injuries. A loss of sight can also be an isolating experience that weighs
on mental health.
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Children and youth who are blind or partially sighted are significantly less fit and
physically active than their sighted peers.
Only 65 per cent of students with vision loss graduate from high school,
compared to 81 per cent of the sighted population.
Only one third of working age people who are blind or partially sighted are
employed and approximately half of the population with vision loss lives on low
incomes, making $20,000/year or less.
Sixty-two per cent of older adults with vision loss report they seldom leave their
homes for recreation or leisure.
seeing beyond vision loss
In comparison to their sighted peers, research shows that people who are blind or
partially sighted experience:
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Twice the risk of falls
Four times the risk of hip fractures
Frequent medication errors, including use of incorrect or expired medications,
dosage errors and missed prescription renewals leading to patient illness,
hospitalizations and anxiety
Three times the risk of clinical depression
Earlier admission to long-term care facilities – three years, on average)
Challenges in self-managing chronic health conditions such as diabetes
(including glycemic monitoring, medications, diet and care for secondary
complications)
About CNIB:
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CNIB, a registered charity, is Canada’s primary source of support for people
who are blind or partially sighted to have the confidence, skills and
opportunities to fully participate in life. CNIB helps thousands of people every
day - whether you’re a child, adult or senior; whether you’ve been completely
blind all your life or have recently experienced a partial loss of vision.
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CNIB offers a wide range of personalized programs and services. In Ontario, it is
structured into three pillars:
o Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario
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Programs help people with all levels of sight loss to develop or
restore daily living skills (fully funded by the Province of Ontario)
o Foundation
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Programs address social and emotional needs of people with sight
loss (funded through charitable donations)
o Deafblind Services
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Intervenor services and literacy programs (funded primarily by the
Province of Ontario)
For more information, please contact:
Shannon Simpson, Manager Communications, Manager ON
O: 1-888-233-1232 ext. 5147/ C: 226-377-2801
[email protected]
seeing beyond vision loss