What to know
The Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS) reports the prevalence of visual function limitations based on self-reported difficulty with activities of daily living that the respondent believes are due to difficulty seeing.
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) questions
The NHIS adult (ages 18+) module includes six questions that begin with:
“Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight, how difficult is it for you to…” followed by six activities.
| Description | Question Text | NHIS Variable Names | Response Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, because of your eyesight, how difficult is it for you… | find something on a crowded shelf? | CRD, AVDFCRD, AVDF_CRD | -Not at all difficult -Only a little difficult -Somewhat difficult -Very difficult -Can’t do at all because of eyesight -Do not do this activity for other reasons -Refused -Not ascertained -Don’t know |
| drive during daytime in familiar places? | DRV, AVDFDRV, AVDF_DRV |
||
| read ordinary print in newspapers? | NWS, AVDF_NWS | ||
| do work or hobbies that require you to see well up close such as cooking, sewing, fixing things around the house, or using hand tools? | AVDF_CLS | ||
| go down steps, stairs, or curbs in dim light or at night? | AVDF_NIT | ||
| notice objects off to the side while you are walking along | AVDF_PER |
Explore data in VEHSS application
The data source available for this category is National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) – Adult module.