Research & Data


Research & Data

Data-Driven Science Resources

Big Data Report Project

The Big Data Project provides a national report, plus state- and county-level data on the rate of blindness and low vision among people aged 65 years and older. These briefings also describe the rate of chronic conditions, quality of life, and disability indicators among older people with and without blindness and low vision. View the National report and many state reports already published.

Click here to learn more about the methodology behind our Big Data reports.


The Research Articles Collection

The Research Articles Collection is a curated collection of relevant research to support grant writing and inform direct service. This Research Article Collection helps professionals seeking relevant articles and important peer-reviewed publications about aging and vision loss. This database is searchable by article topic, keyword, author, publishing timing (year or range), and free/open-source research and other access options.

The Research Articles Collection (RAC) is an exciting partnership of OIB-TAC, the Aging and National Vision Loss Coalition (AVLNC), and VisionServe Alliance.


Data-Driven Science Webinars

VisionServe Alliance provides a broad range of resources providing industry insights and data regarding individuals with blindness and low vision.

Data driven science logo with Dr Monaco headshot.

Data-driven Science Webinar Episode 2 The Prevalence of Vision Impairment and Eye Diseases Among Nursing Home Residents: The Delaware Study presents the findings of comprehensive eye examinations of 2019 residents of nursing homes in the state of Delaware. The findings show an exceedingly high prevalence of eye diseases, nearly 50% of the residents had vision impairment, and 15% were blind. This presentation compares findings with other nursing home studies and policy and practice implications of the findings, and is presented by Dr. William Monaco, OD, and Dr. Crews, formerly with the CDC.


Dean VanNasdale headshot

Data-Driven Science Webinar Episode 1 with Dean VanNasdale, OD, PhD from Ohio State University. Download and view resources from the presentation (below).


Added Research documents

See additional research documents highlighting population statistics, vision, chronic conditions, vision, and quality of life, vision in nursing homes, and measuring outcomes.



Flatten Inaccessibility logo

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) posted a recording of the Flatten Inaccessibility webinar with Troy Otillio (Aira), Paola Chanes-Mora (AFB), and Bonnie Swenor (Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins). 
https://www.afb.org/about-afb/events-and-awards/afblc-2020-overview/virtual-afblc/flatten-inaccessibility-webinar

View a 5-minute summary of the data


Access and Engagement Logo

Access & Engagement

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)’s data team analyzed the data from the Access & Engagement survey. Click here to find the first two installments on the study participants.

Thank you to APH for hosting the site. The quantitative data analysis is being led by Dr. Kathryn Botsford with assistance from Rett McBride, a doctoral candidate at Georgia State University, and the qualitative team is led by Drs. Tina Herzberg and Tiffany Wild.


The Children’s Vision and Eye Health: A Snapshot of Current National IssuesThis report is a compilation of current research, survey data, and best practices that outline the current landscape for children’s vision and eye health in the United States. © 2016 by The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness.  https://www.preventblindness.org/childrens-vision-and-eye-health

Other publications from Prevent Blindness: https://nationalcenter.preventblindness.org/publications-and-presentations


Vision Loss Fact Sheet (Lighthouse Center for Vision Loss, Duluth, MN)

The High Cost of Low Vision — The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) has released a new report describing the health, social, and economic burdens of vision loss in a global society that is rapidly aging. The report calls for increased public education and awareness programs, improved public policies, and greater integration of preventive eye health interventions into public health systems. https://www.ifa-fiv.org/publication/vision/the-high-cost-of-low-vision-the-evidence-on-ageing-and-the-loss-of-sight/

Global Aging and Vision Advocacy Summit Report (2013) –The Global Ageing and Vision Advocacy Summit brought together many experts to discuss the challenges of vision loss and aging. The mutual goals determined by the Summit delegates were to drive political attention through advocacy, increase awareness with strong and coordinated communications and strengthen research capabilities globally toward decreasing the incidence and impact of vision loss, especially in older age groups. https://www.ifa-fiv.org/publication/vision/global-ageing-and-vision-advocacy-summit-report-barcelona-2013/

Alliance for Aging Research, Silver Books — These “Silver Books” are each an almanac of thousands of facts, statistics, graphs, and data from hundreds of agencies, organizations, and experts. These statistics spotlight the mounting burden of chronic diseases that disproportionately impact older Americans and the promise of innovation in mitigating that burden.

The Silver Book: Diabetic Retinopathy (2016) — http://www.silverbook.org/publication/diabetic-retinopathy/

The Silver Book: Vision Loss – Volume I (2007) — http://www.silverbook.org/publication/vision-loss-volume-i/

The Silver Book: Vision Loss – Volume II (2012) —  http://www.silverbook.org/publication/vision-loss-volume-ii/