In 2019, 25.3% of children aged 2–17 years wore glasses or contact lenses, and the percentage increased with age among both boys and girls. Among boys, 3.0% wore glasses among those aged 2–5 years, 20.0% among those aged 6–11 years, and 35.3% among those aged 12–17 years. Among girls, the corresponding percentages are 3.1, 26.4, and 48.2. The percentage was higher among girls than boys overall and among those aged 6–11 years and 12–17 years, but not in the youngest age group.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health Interview Survey, 2019. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm
Footnotes
With 95% confidence intervals indicated with error bars.
Children are defined here as children and adolescents (i.e., persons aged 2–17 years).
Based on the survey response of “yes” to the question, “Does (child’s name) wear eyeglasses or contact lenses?”
Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population.