Can you read this?
If you’re above the age of 45, you might need to go get your glasses. As we age, most of us experience a decrease in our ability to see without correction. However, a recent study in Health Reports analyzed 20 years of data on eye health and found that self-reported eye health generally improved from 2000 to 2020 for all ages, except for Canadians aged 20 to 39 years.
Results from this study show that vision deteriorates around the ages of 40 to 44 years. In 2020, 75% of youth aged 12 to 19 years reported having good vision without correction. This proportion was considerably lower (54% for males and 38% for females) among those aged 45 to 49 years, and was about 25% for those aged 55 years or older.
Eye health is an indicator of health in general, and of quality of life in particular. A comprehensive eye examination, with the advantage of being non-invasive, can not only help maintain healthy vision as we age, but can also detect conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or neurological disease. At any age, a visit to the eye doctor may help us see everything a little more clearly.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).