Table 2 Visual functioning – general health and vision and difficulty with activities

General health and vision

In general, would you say your overall health is:

5.7%

17.9%

34.6%

35.6%

6.2%

At the present time, would you say your eyesight using both eyes (with glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them) is

20.3%

39.0%

28.0%

5.9%

6.7%

None of the time

A little of the time

Some of the time

Most of the time

All of the time

How much of the time do you worry about your eyesight?

23.0%

31.6%

28.7%

12.6%

4.1%

None

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Very severe

How much pain or discomfort have you had in and around your eyes (for example, burning, itching, or aching)? Would you say it is:

17.0%

43.5%

30.3%

7.6%

1.6%

Difficulty with activities

No difficulty at all

A little difficulty

Moderate difficulty

Extreme difficulty

Stopped doing this because of your eyesight

Stopped doing this for other reasons or not interested in doing this

How much difficulty do you have reading ordinary print in newspapers? Would you say you have:

61.4%

21.9%

11.0%

2.2%

0.9%

2.6%

How much difficulty do you have doing work or hobbies that require you to see well up close, such as cooking, sewing, fixing things around the house, or using hand tools? Would you say:

62.0%

22.0%

10.6%

3.4%

0.6%

1.5%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have finding something on a crowded shelf?

60.6%

23.5%

10.1%

4.3%

0.8%

0.6%

How much difficulty do you have reading street signs or the names of stores?

52.8%

23.4%

12.6%

8.6%

2.1%

0.6%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have going down steps, stairs, or curbs in dim light or at night?

67.6%

19.8%

8.7%

2.4%

0.9%

0.5%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have noticing objects off to the side while you are walking along?

63.9%

21.0%

9.8%

3.7%

0.9%

0.8%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have seeing how people react to things you say?

73.5%

15.0%

6.7%

3.4%

0.4%

1.0%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have picking out and matching your own clothes?

81.3%

11.1%

4.5%

1.8%

0.4%

0.8%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have visiting with people in their homes, at parties, or in restaurants?

83.3%

7.7%

4.8%

2.4%

0.6%

1.3%

Because of your eyesight, how much difficulty do you have going out to see movies, plays, or sports events?

72.6%

13.7%

6.6%

3.2%

1.2%

2.7%

Are you currently driving, at least once in a while?

 Yes

44.0%

If your answer was no for the previous question, have you never driven a car or have you given up driving?

 Never drove

90.5%

 Gave up

9.5%

IF YOU GAVE UP DRIVING: Was that mainly because of your eyesight, mainly for some other reason, or because of both your eyesight and other reasons?

 Mainly eyesight

4.7%

 Mainly other reasons

85.9%

 Both eyesight and other reasons

9.4%

No difficulty at all

A little difficulty

Moderate difficulty

Extreme difficulty

IF CURRENTLY DRIVING: How much difficulty do you have driving during the daytime in familiar places? Would you say you have:

76.8%

18.3%

4.3%

0.6%

No difficulty at all

A little difficulty

Moderate difficulty

Extreme difficulty

Stopped doing this because of your eyesight

Stopped doing this for other reasons or not interested in doing this

How much difficulty do you have driving at night? Would you say you have:

50.7%

29.8%

11.7%

5.7%

0.4%

1.6%

How much difficulty do you have driving in difficult conditions, such as in bad weather, during rush hour, on the freeway, or in city traffic? Would you say you have:

42.5%

36.8%

11.9%

5.1%

1.0%

2.7%