Vision and Eye Health
Vision & Eye Health datasets in the CDC Open Data Catalog
This page contains all datasets in the Vision & Eye Health category of the CDC Open Data Catalog.
Total Datasets in Category: 15 Last Updated: 07/14/2025
Datasets in this Category
Medicare Fee for Service (FFS) claims (100%) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
American Community Survey (ACS) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2014 - 2022 (excluding 2020). This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from ACS, stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, and state. ACS is an annual nationwide survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau that collects information on demographic, social, economic, and housing characteristics of the U.S. population. Approximate sample size is 3 million annually. ACS data for VEHSS includes one question related to Visual Function. Data were suppressed for cell sizes less than 30 persons, or where the relative standard error more than 30% of the mean. Data will be updated as it becomes available. Detailed information on VEHSS ACS analyses can be found on the VEHSS ACS webpage (link). Additional information about ACS can be found on the U.S. Census Bureau website (https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/programs-surveys/acs/about/ACS_Information_Guide.pdf). The VEHSS ACS dataset was last updated April 2024
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: acs_vision_eye_health_surveillance_ere___thir_stei
Dataset ID: thir-stei
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: acs, contact lenses, glasses, visual function
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/thir-stei
Behavioral Risk Factors – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2013-2022. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from BRFSS, stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, risk factor and state. BRFSS is a system of telephone surveys conducted by CDC that collect state data about U.S. residents regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. BRFSS completes more than 400,000 adult interviews each year across 50 states, the District of Columbia, and three U.S. territories. BRFSS data for VEHSS includes one question from the core component related to Visual Function. Data were suppressed following NCHS standards. Data will be updated as it becomes available. Detailed information on VEHSS BRFSS analyses can be found on the VEHSS BRFSS webpage (link). General information about BRFSS can be found on the BRFSS website (https://www.cdc.gov/brfss). The VEHSS BRFSS dataset was last updated in November 2019.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: behavioral_risk_factors_vision_health_s__vkwg_yswv
Dataset ID: vkwg-yswv
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: brfss, contact lenses, glasses, visual function
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/vkwg-yswv
Blind or Serious Difficulty Seeing (Age-Adjusted Prevalence by Total)
Description: In 2013 and subsequently, one question in the core of BRFSS asks about vision: Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses? From 2005-2011 the BRFSS employed a ten question vision module regarding vision impairment, access and utilization of eye care, and self-reported eye diseases. The Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System is intended to provide population estimates of vision loss function, eye diseases, health disparities, as well as barriers and facilitators to access to vision and eye care. This information can be used for designing, implementing, and evaluating vision and eye health prevention programs.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: blind_serious_difficulty_seeing_age_adj__cejb_p7hn
Dataset ID: cejb-p7hn
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: vision impairment, eye diseases, diabetes, state, hypertension
BRFSS Vision Module Data – Vision & Eye Health
Description: 2005-2016. This dataset includes data from the retired BRFSS Vision Module. From 2005-2011 the BRFSS employed a ten question vision module regarding vision impairment, access and utilization of eye care, and self-reported eye diseases. In 2013 and subsequently, one question in the core of BRFSS asks about vision: “Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses?” The latest data for this core question can be found in the Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). VEHSS is intended to provide population estimates of vision loss function, eye diseases, health disparities, as well as barriers and facilitators to access to vision and eye care. This information can be used for designing, implementing, and evaluating vision and eye health prevention programs. To access the latest BRFSS data, (2013-2017) view the Behavioral Risk Factors – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance dataset (https://chronicdata.cdc.gov/Vision-Eye-Health/Behavioral-Risk-Factors-Vision-and-Eye-Health-Surv/vkwg-yswv).
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: brfss_vision_module_data_vision_eye_hea__pttf_ck53
Dataset ID: pttf-ck53
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: diabetes, eye diseases, heart diseases, hypertension, physical activity
Medicaid Claims (MAX) - Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2016-2019. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of prevalence rates for vision and eye health data indicators from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) data. Medicaid MAX are a set of de-identified person-level data files with information on Medicaid eligibility, service utilization, diagnoses, and payments. The MAX data contain a convenience sample of claims processed by Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) fee for service and managed care plans. Not all states are included in MAX in all years, and as of November 2019, 2014 data is the latest available. Prevalence estimates are stratified by all available combinations of age group, sex, and state. Detailed information on VEHSS Medicare analyses can be found on the VEHSS Medicaid MAX webpage (cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/data/claims/medicaid.html). Information on available Medicare claims data can be found on the ResDac website (www.resdac.org). The VEHSS Medicaid MAX dataset was last updated May 2023.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: medicaid_claims_vision_eye_health_surve__bwx3_gx66
Dataset ID: bwx3-gx66
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: claims, diagnosed prevalence, eye exams, max, medicaid, medical diagnoses, screening, service utilization
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/bwx3-gx66
Medicare Fee for Service (FFS) claims (100%) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2014-2019. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from Medicare claims, stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, and state. Medicare claims for VEHSS includes beneficiaries who were fully enrolled in Medicare Part B Fee-for-Service (FFS) for the duration of the year. Medicare claims provide a convenience sample that includes approximately 30 million individuals annually, which represents nearly 89% of the US population aged 65 and older and 3.3% of the US population younger than 65, including persons disabled due to blindness. Medicare data for VEHSS include Service Utilization and Medical Diagnoses indicators. Data were suppressed for de-identification to ensure protection of patient privacy. Data will be updated as it becomes available. Detailed information on VEHSS Medicare analyses can be found on the VEHSS Medicare webpage (cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/data/claims/medicare.html). Information on available Medicare claims data can be found on the ResDac website (www.resdac.org). The VEHSS Medicare dataset was last updated May 2023.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: medicare_ffs_vision_eye_health_surveill__e28h_tx85
Dataset ID: e28h-tx85
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: claims, eye exams, medical diagnoses, medicare, service utilization, treated prevalence
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/e28h-tx85
Military Health System (MHS) - Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS)
Description: The Department of Defense Health Agency’s (DHA) Vision Center of Excellence (VCE) analyzed data from the MHS MART database on behalf of the VEHSS project. MHS MART is a data management and reporting system used to support decision-making, health care analysis, and operational reporting. MART integrates various sources within MHS to provide a centralized repository for health care data, facilitating access to information that aids in managing health care services, resources, and performance across MHS. Data are based on claims and encounter records in the MHS Management Analysis and Reporting Tool (MART) database. The population includes all active-duty and retired military members and their dependents in the MHS. The sample size is approximately 9.08 million persons. These data are also available in the VEHSS Data Explorer, an interactive data visualization tool reporting prevalence information from more than 10 data sources: https://www.cdc.gov/vision-health-data/index.html
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: mhs_vehss__binw_6h77
Dataset ID: binw-6h77
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: vision
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/binw-6h77
Commercial Medical Insurance (MSCANCC) - Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2016, 2021, 2023. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of prevalence rates for vision and eye health data indicators from the 2016 MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters Data (CCAE) is produced by Truven Health Analytics, a division of IBM Watson Health. The CCEA data contain a convenience sample of insurance claims information from person with employer-sponsored insurance and their dependents, including 43.6 million person years of data. Prevalence estimates are stratified by all available combinations of age group, sex, and state. Detailed information on VEHSS MarketScan analyses can be found on the VEHSS MarketScan webpage (cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/data/claims/marketscan.html). Information on available Medicare claims data can be found on the IBM MarketScan website (https://marketscan.truvenhealth.com). The VEHSS MarketScan summary dataset was last updated 2025.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: mscancc_vision_eye_health_surveillance__a35h_9yn4
Dataset ID: a35h-9yn4
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: medical diagnoses, claims, service utilization, diagnosed prevalence, eye exams, truven, marketscan
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/a35h-9yn4
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 1999-2008; 2005-2008. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from NHANES, stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, and risk factor. NHANES is a program of studies conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at CDC designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the U.S, and combines interviews and physical examinations. NHANES stopped collecting vision and eye health data in 2008. Approximate sample size is 5,000 persons per year. NHANES data for VEHSS includes questions and examinations related to Visual Function, Vision Exam Measures, Eye Health Conditions, Service Utilization, and Examination Measures. Data were suppressed for cell sizes less than 30 persons, or where the relative standard error more than 30% of the mean. Detailed information on VEHSS NHANES analyses can be found on the VEHSS NHANES webpage (https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/data/national-surveys/national-health-and-nutrition-examination-survey.html). Additional information about NHANES can be found on the NHANES website (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm). The VEHSS NHANES dataset was last updated in June 2018.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: nhanes_vision_surveillance__tdbk_8ubw
Dataset ID: tdbk-8ubw
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: visual function, cataract, blind, glaucoma, visual acuity, vision exam measures, service utilization, nhanes, diabetes
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/tdbk-8ubw
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2014-15 merged, 2016-17 merged. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from NHIS, stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, and risk factor. NHIS is an annual household survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at CDC that monitors trends in illness, disabilities, and progress towards national health objectives. Approximate sample size is 35,000 households and 87,500 persons annually. NHIS data for VEHSS includes questions related to Visual Function. Data were suppressed for cell sizes less than 30 persons, or where the relative standard error more than 30% of the mean. Data will be updated as it becomes available. Detailed information on VEHSS NHIS analyses can be found on the VEHSS NHIS webpage (link). Additional information about NHIS can be found on the NHIS website (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis/about_nhis.htm). The VEHSS NHIS dataset was last updated in November 2019.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: nhis_vision_surveillance__2t2r_sf6s
Dataset ID: 2t2r-sf6s
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: blind, contact lenses, glasses, nhis, vision correction, visual function
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/2t2r-sf6s
National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2016-17 merged. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from the National Survye of Chilrens Health (NSCH), stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, risk factor and state. NSCH is a telephone survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at CDC (currently conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau) that examines the physical and emotional health of children 0-17 years of age. Approximate sample size is 95,000 over two rounds of data collection. Data were suppressed for cell sizes less than 30 persons, or where the relative standard error more than 30% of the mean. Detailed information on VEHSS NSCH analyses can be found on the VEHSS NSCH webpage (cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/data/national-surveys/national-survey-of-childrens-health.html). Additional information about NSCH can be found on the NSCH website (http://childhealthdata.org/learn/NSCH). The VEHSS NSCH dataset was last updated in November 2019.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: nschnsch_visioneyehealth_ere_s_the_brea__de4p_4g3k
Dataset ID: de4p-4g3k
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: contact lenses, glasses, nsch, vision impairment, visual function
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/de4p-4g3k
Reasons for No Eye Care (Age-adjusted Prevalence)
Description: In 2013 and subsequently, one question in the core of BRFSS asks about vision: Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses? From 2005-2011 the BRFSS employed a ten question vision module regarding vision impairment, access and utilization of eye care, and self-reported eye diseases. The Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System is intended to provide population estimates of vision loss function, eye diseases, health disparities, as well as barriers and facilitators to access to vision and eye care. This information can be used for designing, implementing, and evaluating vision and eye health prevention programs.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: reasons_for_no_eye_care_age_adjusted_pr__t9kj_aema
Dataset ID: t9kj-aema
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: diabetes, eye diseases, heart diseases, hypertension, physical activity
VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates - Visual Acuity Loss (County data filter)
Description: VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates 2017, 2019, 2021. This dataset contains estimates of the prevalence of visual acuity loss and major eye diseases generated using a Bayesian meta-analytic modeling approach that combines information from multiple data sources to produce comprehensive estimates of prevalence by age, race, and gender at the national, state and county levels. These composite prevalence estimates are the primary surveillance measures developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vision & Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). For more information about these estimates including summary tables and maps, methods, and links to related publications visit https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/estimates/index.html To view this data in the VEHSS interactive data visualization application, visit https://ddt-vehss.cdc.gov/ and search for “VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimate”. Visual Acuity Loss: Visual acuity loss prevalence estimates represent best-corrected visual acuity in the better-seeing eye and are included in rows where Category=’Measured Visual Acuity’. Rows with Subgroup = ‘Any vision loss' represents any impairment or blindness of 20/40 or worse; rows with Subgroup = 'US-defined blindness' refers to the subset of vision loss that is 20/200 or worse. Age Related Macular Degeneration: The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) estimates represent AMD as measured with retinal imaging examination, and are included in rows where Category = ‘Age Related Macular Degeneration’. The Subgroup ‘Vision threatening AMD’ includes patients with geographic atrophy, wet-form AMD, or choroidal neovascularization in either eye. The Subgroup ‘Non-vision threatening AMD’ includes patients with early or intermediate dry-form AMD defined as retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities or drusen ≥125 µm in the worse-affected eye, and do not have vision threatening AMD. Diabetic Retinopathy: The diabetic retinopathy (DR) estimates represent DR as measured with retinal imaging examination, and are included in rows where Category=’Diabetic Eye Diseases’. The Subgroup ‘Vision threatening DR’ includes patients with severe non-proliferative DR, proliferative DR, and diabetic macular edema. The Subgroup ‘Non-vision threatening DR’ is defined as patients with mild-moderate non-proliferative DR or unspecified DR, and do not have vision threatening DR. Glaucoma: VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates for glaucoma are forthcoming. Age Groups: The VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates are available by major age groups (All ages, ages 0-17, 18-39, 40-64, 65-84, 85+) and detailed (5-year) age groups, which are indicated by the text “by detailed age groups” in the ‘Indicator’ field. Prevalence Data Type: These estimates are also available as crude (Data_Value_Type = ‘Crude Prevalence’) or adjusted data (Data_Value_Type=’Adjusted Prevalence). Crude Prevalence is the estimate of the actual number and percentage of people living with each condition. Adjusted Prevalence estimates are adjusted to match the national population by age, race/ethnicity, and gender. Adjusted prevalence estimates can be used to help identify disparities in prevalence between geographic areas that are not explained by differences in demographic characteristics. Data Sources: Data sources for VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates include the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the American Community Survey (ACS), the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Medicare Fee-For-Service claims, the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System, MarketScan commercial insurance claims, the Health Resources & Service Administration’s Area Resources File, and published examination study results from the Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study (BPEDS), the Chinese American Eye Study (CHES), the Eye Diseases Prevalence Research Group (
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: vehss_composite_prevalence_visual_acuit__jppf_dq82
Dataset ID: jppf-dq82
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: blind, blindness, prevalence, vision, visual
VEHSS Modeled Estimates
Description: VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022. This dataset contains estimates of the prevalence of visual acuity loss and major eye diseases generated using a Bayesian meta-analytic modeling approach that combines information from multiple data sources to produce comprehensive estimates of prevalence by age, race, and sex at the national, state and county levels. These composite prevalence estimates are the primary surveillance measures developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vision & Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). For more information about these estimates including summary tables and maps, methods, and links to related publications visit https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/vehss/estimates/index.html To view this data in the VEHSS interactive data visualization application, visit https://ddt-vehss.cdc.gov/ and search for “VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimate”. Visual Acuity Loss: Visual acuity loss prevalence estimates represent best-corrected visual acuity in the better-seeing eye and are included in rows where Category=’Measured Visual Acuity’. Rows with Subgroup = ‘Any vision loss' represents any impairment or blindness of 20/40 or worse; rows with Subgroup = 'US-defined blindness' refers to the subset of vision loss that is 20/200 or worse. Age Related Macular Degeneration: The age-related macular degeneration (AMD) estimates represent AMD as measured with retinal imaging examination, and are included in rows where Category = ‘Age Related Macular Degeneration’. The Subgroup ‘Vision threatening AMD’ includes patients with geographic atrophy, wet-form AMD, or choroidal neovascularization in either eye. The Subgroup ‘Non-vision threatening AMD’ includes patients with early or intermediate dry-form AMD defined as retinal pigment epithelium abnormalities or drusen ≥125 µm in the worse-affected eye, and do not have vision threatening AMD. Diabetic Retinopathy: The diabetic retinopathy (DR) estimates represent DR as measured with retinal imaging examination, and are included in rows where Category=’Diabetic Eye Diseases’. The Subgroup ‘Vision threatening DR’ includes patients with severe non-proliferative DR, proliferative DR, and diabetic macular edema. The Subgroup ‘Non-vision threatening DR’ is defined as patients with mild-moderate non-proliferative DR or unspecified DR, and do not have vision threatening DR. Glaucoma: The glaucoma estimates represent glaucoma as measured with retinal imaging examination and are included in rows where Category=’Glaucoma’. The Subgroup ‘Vision affecting glaucoma’ includes people with glaucoma and abnormal visual field. The Subgroup ‘Non-vision affecting glaucoma’ is defined as people with glaucoma without an abnormal visual field. Age Groups: The VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates are available by major age groups (All ages, ages 0-17, 18-39, 40-64, 65-84, 85+) and detailed (5-year) age groups, which are indicated by the text “by detailed age groups” in the ‘Indicator’ field. Prevalence Data Type: These estimates are also available as crude (Data_Value_Type = ‘Crude Prevalence’) or adjusted data (Data_Value_Type=’Adjusted Prevalence). Crude Prevalence is the estimate of the actual number and percentage of people living with each condition. Adjusted Prevalence estimates are adjusted to match the national population by age, race/ethnicity, and sex. Adjusted prevalence estimates can be used to help identify disparities in prevalence between geographic areas that are not explained by differences in demographic characteristics. Data Sources: Data sources for VEHSS Composite Prevalence Estimates include the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the American Community Survey (ACS), the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Medicare Fee-For-Service claims, the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System, MarketScan commercial insurance claim
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: vehss_modeled_estimates__qeru_k2y2
Dataset ID: qeru-k2y2
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: blind, blindness, prevalence, vision, visual
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/qeru-k2y2
Vision Service Plan (VSP) – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance
Description: 2016. This dataset is a de-identified summary table of vision and eye health data indicators from VSP, stratified by all available combinations of age group, race/ethnicity, sex, and state. VSP claims for VEHSS provides a convenience sample of vision insurance members representing approximately more than 1 in 4 of the U.S. population. VSP uses a web-based claims submissions system to collect and process claims. The denominator of the rates represents persons with VSP benefits as reported by employers, and is subject to some uncertainty. VSP data for VEHSS include Service Utilization and Eye Health Condition indicators. Certain ophthalmic conditions and procedures are covered by health insurance and are not covered by managed vision insurance, claims based eye disease prevalence may therefore be expected to undercount true prevalence. Person level claims and person counts are not publically available. Reported rates were suppressed for de-identification to ensure protection of patient privacy. Detailed information on VEHSS VSP analyses can be found on the VEHSS VSP webpage (link). Information on VSP data can be found on the VSP website (www.vsp.com). The VEHSS VSP dataset was last updated in June 2018.
Schema: dwv_v_eye_health
Table Name: vsp_vision_eye_health_surveillance__4r3g_hv9c
Dataset ID: 4r3g-hv9c
Category: Vision & Eye Health
Tags: claims, medical diagnoses, vsp
Source Data: https://data.cdc.gov/d/4r3g-hv9c
Last updated