Description

For sample persons age 55 and over in 1984, and persons age 18 and over who have trouble seeing in one or both eyes (even with glasses) in 1991, this variable indicates if the respondent was blind in one or both eyes, or did not have any blindness, at the time of the interview. In both years, respondents were first asked if they were blind in one or both eyes, and affirmative answers were then asked to report either "one" or "both." A definition of "blind" was not provided in the

Related Variables

Along with BLINDEYE, respondents were asked if they now had any 5 other eye conditions and could indicate as many as necessary. This variable was part of the 1984 Supplement on Aging, which also asked respondents if they had or ever had hearing, heart, and bone conditions and other impairments.

In 1991, BLINDEYE was part of a section on chronic and disabling conditions in the Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement. Respondents were asked 12 questions related to vision problems.

Comparability

Changes in the universe limit comparability of this variable between 1984 and 1991. However, for respondents age 55 and over, this variable is comparable over time.

Universe

Availability

• 1984, 1991

Weights

• 1984, 1991 : SAMPWEIGHT