GBVI – Regional Summaries

East Asia

Population: 1,433 Million

Number Blind
6,185,330

Number MSVI
52,875,781

Number of Countries in Region: 3

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-1-East-Asia

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 3.52%

  • Cataract 32.52%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.97%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.60%

  • Glaucoma 2.08%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 44.19%

  • Trachoma 1.38%

  • Other 13.74%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

265.3 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-1-East-Asia

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-1-East-Asia

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-1-East-Asia

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the East Asia Region Summary

Oceania

Population: 10 Million

Number Blind
39,618

Number MSVI
173,713

Number of Countries in Region: 13

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 2.30%

  • Cataract 34.63%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.45%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.36%

  • Glaucoma 2.32%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 42.28%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 15.66%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

1.0 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-2-Oceania

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-2-Oceania

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-2-Oceania

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Oceania Region Summary

South-East Asia

Population: 650 Million

Number Blind
3,542,590

Number MSVI
20,799,080

Number of Countries in Region: 13

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-3-South-East-Asia

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 3.56%

  • Cataract 33.77%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.27%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.71%

  • Glaucoma 2.27%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 42.38%

  • Trachoma 0.08%

  • Other 14.97%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

90.7 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-3-South-East-Asia

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-3-South-East-Asia

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-3-South-East-Asia

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the South-East Asia Region Summary

South Asia

Population: 1,690 Million

Number Blind
11,760,081

Number MSVI
61,192,929

Number of Countries in Region: 6

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-4-South-Asia

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 1.48%

  • Cataract 23.95%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.16%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.16%

  • Glaucoma 1.77%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 62.89%

  • Trachoma 0.03%

  • Other 8.56%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

317.9 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-4-South-Asia

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-4-South-Asia

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-4-South-Asia

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the South Asia Region Summary

Central Asia

Population: 87 Million

Number Blind
249,074

Number MSVI
1,597,066

Number of Countries in Region: 9

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-5-Central-Asia

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 10.19%

  • Cataract 18.62%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.84%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 4.10%

  • Glaucoma 5.18%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 44.18%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 15.88%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

14.7 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-5-Central-Asia

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-5-Central-Asia

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-5-Central-Asia

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Central Asia Region Summary

Central Europe

Population: 116 Million

Number Blind
533,285

Number MSVI
2,843,144

Number of Countries in Region: 13

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-6-Central-Europe

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 11.47%

  • Cataract 18.94%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.78%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 3.24%

  • Glaucoma 5.49%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 43.85%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 15.24%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

30.7 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-6-Central-Europe

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-6-Central-Europe

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Central Europe Region Summary

Eastern Europe

Population: 208 Million

Number Blind
857,494

Number MSVI
6,314,586

Number of Countries in Region: 7

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-7-Eastern-Europe

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 13.84%

  • Cataract 15.29%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.63%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 5.19%

  • Glaucoma 5.24%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 44.58%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 14.23%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

52.9 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-7-Eastern-Europe

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-7-Eastern-Europe

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-7-Eastern-Europe

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Eastern Europe Region Summary

North Africa & The Middle East

Population: 566 Million

Number Blind
3,472,578

Number MSVI
18,262,986

Number of Countries in Region: 21

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-8-North-Africa-Middle-East

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 2.2%

  • Cataract 21.16%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.34%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 1.62%

  • Glaucoma 2.29%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 41.02%

  • Trachoma 1.93%

  • Other 27.44%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

70.2 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-8-North-Africa

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-8-North-Africa

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-8-North-Africa-Middle-East

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the North Africa & Middle East Region Summary

Western Sub-Saharan Africa

Population: 391 Million

Number Blind
1,891,551

Number MSVI
7,854,587

Number of Countries in Region: 19

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-9-Western-Sub-Saharan-Africa

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 2.90%

  • Cataract 33.44%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.41%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.42%

  • Glaucoma 4.94%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 41.36%

  • Trachoma 2.58%

  • Other 11.96%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

41.2 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-9-Western-SS-Africa

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-9-Western-SS-Africa

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-9-Western-Sub-Saharan-Africa

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Western Sub-Saharan Africa Region Summary

Southern Sub-Saharan Africa

Population: 78 Million

Number Blind
419,063

Number MSVI
1,231,151

Number of Countries in Region: 6

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-10-Southern-Sub-Saharan-Africa

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 8.61%

  • Cataract 28.04%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.43%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 1.82%

  • Glaucoma 6.68%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 39.76%

  • Trachoma 0.36%

  • Other 12.30%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

12.3 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-10-Southern-SS-Africa

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-10-Southern-SS-Africa

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-10-Southern-SS-Africa

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Southern Sub-Saharan Africa Region Summary

Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa

Population: 376 Million

Number Blind
1,660,526

Number MSVI
6,227,415

Number of Countries in Region: 15

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-11-Eastern-Sub-Saharan-Africa

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 2.56%

  • Cataract 32.67%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.26%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.33%

  • Glaucoma 4.56%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 40.87%

  • Trachoma 5.95%

  • Other 10.79%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

36.0 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-11-Eastern-SS-Africa

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-11-Eastern-SS-Africa

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-11-Eastern-Sub-Saharan-Africa

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa Region Summary

Central Sub-Saharan Africa

Population: 114 Million

Number Blind
309,618

Number MSVI
2,046,239

Number of Countries in Region: 6

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-12-Central-Sub-Saharan-Africa

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 3.67%

  • Cataract 33.19%

  • Corneal Opacity 2.32%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.56%

  • Glaucoma 4.71%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 43.67%

  • Trachoma 0.21%

  • Other 11.66%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

11.6 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-12-Central-SS-Africa

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-12-Central-SS-Africa

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-12-Central-Sub-Saharan-Africa

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Central Sub-Saharan Africa Summary

Tropical Latin America

Population: 214 Million

Number Blind
719,140

Number MSVI
3,487,324

Number of Countries in Region: 2

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-13-Tropical-Latin-America

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 5.01%

  • Cataract 15.89%

  • Corneal Opacity 0.73%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 1.45%

  • Glaucoma 3.68%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 43.44%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 29.80%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

36.7 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-13-Tropical-Latin-America

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-13-Tropical-Latin-America

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Tropical Latin America Region Summary

Caribbean

Population: 40 Million

Number Blind
216,548

Number MSVI
902,566

Number of Countries in Region: 18

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-14-Caribbean

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 3.89%

  • Cataract 19.02%

  • Corneal Opacity 0.81%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.91%

  • Glaucoma 3.35%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 41.62%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 30.19%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

6.6 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-14-Caribbean

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-14-Caribbean

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-14-Caribbean

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Caribbean Region Summary

Andean Latin America

Population: 58 Million

Number Blind
273,318

Number MSVI
1,700,195

Number of Countries in Region: 3

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-15-Andean-Latin-America

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 2.55%

  • Cataract 20.21%

  • Corneal Opacity 0.75%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 0.46%

  • Glaucoma 3.10%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 42.46%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 30.47%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

8.2 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-15-Andean-Latin-America

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-15-Andean-Latin-America

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Andean Latin America Region Summary

Central Latin America

Population: 252 Million

Number Blind
958,069

Number MSVI
4,844,608

Number of Countries in Region: 9

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-16-Central-Latin-America

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 4.17%

  • Cataract 17.49%

  • Corneal Opacity 0.77%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 1.07%

  • Glaucoma 3.49%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 42.77%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 30.24%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

37.0 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-16-Central-Latin-America

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-16-Central-Latin-America

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-16-Central-Latin-America

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Central Latin America Region Summary

High Income, Western Europe

Population: 424 Million

Number Blind
1,157,884

Number MSVI
9,610,821

Number of Countries in Region: 25

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-17-Western-Europe

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 10.96%

  • Cataract 15.88%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.0%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 3.63%

  • Glaucoma 4.59%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 45.84%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 18.09%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

29.2 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-17-Western-Europe

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-17-Western-Europe

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-17-Western-Europe

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Western Europe Region Summary

High Income, Southern Latin America

Population: 65 Million

Number Blind
168,423

Number MSVI
1,534,608

Number of Countries in Region: 3

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-18-Southern-Latin-America

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 10.18%

  • Cataract 16.13%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.03%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 4.07%

  • Glaucoma 4.57%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 45.13%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 18.88%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

3.3 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-18-Southern-Latin-America

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-18-Southern-Latin-America

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-18-Southern-Latin-America

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Southern Latin America Region Summary

High Income, North America

Population: 358 Million

Number Blind
981,061

Number MSVI
7,461,068

Number of Countries in Region: 2

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-19-North-America

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 11.16%

  • Cataract 14.82%

  • Corneal Opacity 1.01%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 4.70%

  • Glaucoma 4.63%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 45.50%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 18.17%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

15.7 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-19-North-America

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-19-North-America

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-19-North-America

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the North America Region Summary

High Income, Asia Pacific

Population: 183 Million

Number Blind
553,321

Number MSVI
5,008,989

Number of Countries in Region: 4

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-20-Asia-Pacific

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 11.88%

  • Cataract 14.99%

  • Corneal Opacity 0.97%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 4.21%

  • Glaucoma 4.54%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 45.91%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 17.50%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

12.6 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-20-Asia-Pacific

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-20-Asia-Pacific

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-20-Asia-Pacific

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Asia Pacific Region Summary

High Income, Australasia

Population: 28 Million

Number Blind
66,969

Number MSVI
633,248

Number of Countries in Region: 2

Region-Summary-Maps-for-web-21-Australasia

Regional Causes of Visual Impairment

  • AMD 14.37%

  • Cataract 14.37%

  • Corneal Opacity 0.97%

  • Diabetic Retinopathy 4.89%

  • Glaucoma 4.45%

  • Uncorrected Refractive Error 46.04%

  • Trachoma 0.0%

  • Other 17.73%

Number with Near-Vision Impairment

1.1 million

Region-Summary-Number-Near-Vision-for-web-21-Australasia

Change in Prevalence of Visual Impairment 1990 to 2015

Region-Summary-Prevalence-Chart-for-web-21-Australasia

Visual Impairment Gender Ratio

Region-Summary-Gender-Ratio-21-Australasia

The number visually impaired, prevalence and causes all relate to distance-vision impairment.
In order to enable comparisons between regions, over time and between men and women, the age-standardised prevalence (all ages, both sexes) is shown.
The gender ratio is the age-standardised prevalence for women divided by the age-standardised prevalence for men.

Download the Australasia Region Summary

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