1. Epidemology - Estimates Of The Blind And Vision Impaired Popuation
- 1.1 Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Membership Database
- 1.2 Statistics New Zealand Disability Survey 2001
- 1.3 Vision Education Agency National Database for Learners who are Blind and Vision-impaired
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1.1 Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind Membership Database
1.1.2 Data Collection
RNZFB collects detailed information about individuals when they become members. The records include information about members' demographic profiles, physical location, eye condition, visual acuity and field of vision. The data is recorded in an electronic database and is infrequently updated. Some records in the database are incomplete, including information about field of vision and acuity. There are a variety of reasons for the incompleteness of the data-set, however auditing the database would be a lengthy exercise beyond the resources of the current research. Therefore the research relies on existing records and gaps have been filled throughout the analysis where possible (for more information please see separate document: 'Data Collection Issues Encountered During the RNZFB Costs of Blindness Research').
1.1.2 RNZFB Membership Demographic Data
In summary, the RNZFB membership data shows:
- In June 2004, there were 11,293 RNZFB members. Of these 10,012 (88.7%) were voting members and 1,281 (11.3%) were provisional members.
- Approximately 67% of members were aged over 65, 26% of members were aged 18-65, 6% of members were aged 0-18 and 67 members did not have age related information recorded.
- Approximately 63% of members were female. There was no gender data recorded for 7 members.
- 86% of members were NZ European and 6% were Maori.
1.1.3 RNZFB Membership Visual Status Data
The data collected about members' visual performance is limited to a set range of variables. The five variables collected about individual's visual status are:
- Right Eye Visual Acuity
- Left Eye Visual Acuity
- Binocular Visual Acuity
- Right Eye Field of Vision
- Left Eye Field of Vision.
There are gaps in individual member's acuity information in either or both eyes and field of vision. Additionally, the data collected represents individuals' visual status when they become members and does not show whether visual status has deteriorated overtime. Nevertheless, this data provides a snapshot of the best available information about the membership population at the time of the current research.
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1.1.4 RNZFB Membership Visual Status Analysis Methods
Approximately 28% of the membership (3,109 members) has data recorded for all five visual status variables. However, 1,860 members (16%) have no recorded visual status information. RNZFB accepts members with sight in their best eye of 6/24 or worse; therefore we know that all members fit the criteria for Low Vision at best. The researchers decided to apply the shares of blind and low vision for the known members across the unknown members to estimate the number of blind and vision-impaired people. This section discusses the methods for this allocation process.
The visual acuity information recorded for members is reported using a variety of ophthalmology techniques. Market Economics consulted Rob Jacobs, Head of the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at The University of Auckland, to understand the relationship between the acuity measures. Rob Jacobs devised a formula to show how a given acuity matched one of the three WHO visual performance categories by converting different acuity variables to comparable Log MAR values. This allowed Market Economics to attach visual performance codes alongside the acuity information collected in the RNZFB database.
The six key steps in the process are outlined below:
Step 1: Examine Visual Acuity and Field of Vision of Left & Right Eye
The first step involved examining visual status for each eye according to the field of vision and visual acuity records. The research team decided to consider both visual acuity and field of vision as having the same importance. Therefore, if a member had low vision in their left eye according to their visual acuity but blindness in their left eye according to their field of vision, the member was classified as blind. Where a member only had information about visual acuity or field of vision it has been assumed that the missing measurement is the same as the recorded measurement. This means that a person with low vision according to their acuity measurement with no field of vision information recorded has been classified as vision-impaired in that eye. This analysis concerned 8,675 members with information recorded for both eyes.
Step 2: Examine Visual Acuity and Field of Vision Records for One Eye
Where there is data recorded for only one eye in the database, it has been assumed that the other eye is the same as the eye recorded. Therefore if a member has low vision in their right eye it has been assumed that they have low vision in their left eye also. There were 491 members with visual status records for only one eye.
Step 3: Examine Visual Acuity for Binocular Vision
For those members without acuity information recorded for either eye, binocular acuity information has been considered the best indicator of visual impairment. We have made the assumption that the records for binocular vision represent the best eye visual status.
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There were an additional 38 members who had acuity information recorded for binocular vision.
Step 4: Examine Visual Acuity and Field of Vision Records for Binocular Vision & One Eye Records
Approximately 2% of members (229) have information recorded for one eye and binocular vision. In these cases we have assumed that the best eye visual status is the lesser of the two measures of visual performance.
Step 5: Categorise Visual Status for Best Eye and Worst Eye
RNZFB member's visual status has been classified according to their best eye because people with low vision in one eye and blindness in the other eye face different costs than individuals who are blind in both eyes. By grouping the results from each of the four previous steps of the analysis, we have built a profile of RNZFB members (refer to Figure A).
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Figure A: Initial Best Eye Summary Data for RNZFB members
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Figure A shows 13% had best eye records implying they had normal vision. However, membership requirements state that members must have visual acuity in their best eye of 6/24 or worse. Therefore, we know that no RNZFB members can have normal vision. There are a number of reasons for these anomalies, mainly relating to the initial data collection process. The researchers decided that members with normal vision recorded in the database should be distributed across vision impairment and blind categories according to the distribution of known blind and vision-impaired members by age, gender and ethnicity.
Step 6: Distribute Best Eye Visual Status across Normal Sighted and Unknown records
There are 3,349 members (30%) with unknown or normal visual status recorded in the database. These members have been pro-rated across blind and vision-impaired categories according to age, gender and ethnicity profiles of the known RNZFB members.
1.1.5 RNZFB Membership Visual Status
Figure B shows the final distribution of 2004 RNZFB members according to visual status, age, gender and ethnicity. Key points arising from this analysis include:
- Approximately 72% of members (8,130) are vision-impaired;
- NZ European vision-impaired members comprise 63% (7,130) of total members;
- NZ European blind members constitute 22% (2,540) of total members;
- Maori vision-impaired members comprise 4% (390) of total members;
- Maori blind members constitute 3% (280) of total members;
- Other ethnic vision-impaired members comprise 5% (620) of total members; and
- Other ethnic blind members comprise 3% (340) of total members.
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Figure B: Final Distribution of 2004 RNZFB members
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1.2 Statistics New Zealand Disability Survey 2001
1.2.1 Data Collection
Statistics New Zealand conducts a Disability Survey every five years. The 2001 survey sampled approximately 38,500 people living in households (with and without disabilities) and approximately 1,000 people living in residential facilities (with and without disabilities). Three surveys were conducted that are relevant to this study; the Adult Household Disability Survey, the Child Household Disability Survey and the Residential Facilities Disability Survey.
The first component of each survey was a screening questionnaire to establish the prevalence of disability in New Zealand society. The second component addressed issues such as support and costs related to disability.
Statistics New Zealand used the following two screening questions to determine a respondent's visual status:
"Can you see ordinary newspaper print, with glasses or contact lenses if you usually wear them: easily, with difficulty or not at all?"
"Can you clearly see the face of someone across a room (that is from 4 metres or 12 feet away), with glasses or contact lenses if you usually wear them: easily, with difficulty or not at all?"
Respondents indicated their perceived level of visual disability rather than their scientifically recorded visual status. The subjective nature of these questions means that the results of the Disability Survey may under or over estimate the level of vision impairment in New Zealand.
Statistics New Zealand has categorised the responses so that respondents answering 'not at all' to both questions were classified as blind and respondents answering any combination of 'with difficulty', 'not at all' and 'easily' were classified as vision-impaired. Respondents answering 'easily' to both questions were not classified as having a visual impairment.
1.2.2 Disability Survey Estimates of Visual Status
The results from the Disability Survey indicate:
- In 2001 there were 10,100 blind and 84,500 vision-impaired individuals (Figure C);
- Females accounted for approximately 60% of the blind and vision-impaired population;
- Females aged over 65 years accounted for 42% of the blind population compared with males aged over 65 years accounting for 19%;
- Females aged over 65 years accounted for 30% of the vision-impaired population compared with males aged over 65 accounting for 16%;
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- Overall, females aged over 65 years accounted for 7% of the total New Zealand population and males accounted for 5% of the population. This means that blind and vision-impaired people are over represented in the older age groups;
- Males aged less than 15 years accounted for 15% of the blind population compared with females aged less than 15 years accounting for 8%;
- Overall, females aged under 15 years accounted for 11% of the total New Zealand population and males accounted for 12% of the population;
- Approximately 14% of the vision-impaired and blind population (13,200) were children (aged less than 15 years);
- Over 12% of vision-impaired and blind people (11,700) lived in residential facilities;
- 75% of the blind and vision-impaired population were NZ European;
- 15% of the blind and vision-impaired population were Maori; and
- 10% of the blind and vision-impaired population comprised 'other' ethnicities.
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Figure C: 2001 NZ Disability Survey Estimates of Visual Status
1.2.2.1 Standardising Statistics NZ Disability Survey 2001 results to 2004 Estimates
Statistics New Zealand provided two cross tabulations from each of the surveys for this study. The first table cross tabulates age, gender and visual status. The second table cross tabulates ethnicity and visual status. Statistics New Zealand would not release a cross tabulation of age, sex, ethnicity and visual status because the confidence levels for the data would be diminished.
Market Economics has produced a cross tabulation of the Disability Survey data using the two tables and age, sex and gender distributions for 2001 for the total New Zealand population. This information will be used to project future blind and vision-impaired populations. The following two key steps were involved in this process:
In order to refine these latter two estimates into more useful forms the following data manipulations were conducted:
Statistics NZ Disability Survey estimates for 2001 have been expanded to reflect the 2004 population for the high estimate.
The ophthalmologist guided medium estimates have been distributed according to the Disability Survey derived profile to show blind and visually impairment according to age, sex and ethnicity.
Step One: Apply Ethnicity Distribution to Total Blind & Vision-impaired Estimates
Statistics New Zealand provided a table of ethnicity by visual status from the Child Survey. This shows the ethnic distribution of 0-15 year olds by visual status. We have applied the ethnic distribution across total 0-15 year olds to derive a total ethnic distribution. In order to distribute total 0-15 year olds for each ethnic group across males and females, we have assumed the male to female ratio is the same as the overall New Zealand male to female ratio for 0-15 year olds.
The ethnic distribution of adults has been calculated by applying the ethnic shares from the Household Survey and Residential Facilities Survey to the totals by age group and visual status. In order to distribute adults by gender, we have assumed the male to female ratio for each age group is the same as the overall New Zealand male to female ratio.
Step Two: Produce 2004 Estimates
Shares of total New Zealand population have been derived by dividing the number of people by age, sex, ethnicity and visual status distribution for 2001 by the number of New Zealanders by age, sex and ethnicity for 2001. These shares have been applied to the estimated New Zealand population by age, gender and ethnicity to derive a 2004 estimate of blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders. Table 1 shows the 2004 distribution of blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders according to the 2001 Disability Survey results.
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- Approximately 89% of blind and vision-impaired people are vision-impaired (88,700) in 2004;
- There are 10,700 blind New Zealanders in 2004;
- NZ European vision-impaired people comprise 64% (64,000) of blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders;
- Maori vision-impaired people comprise 14% (14,100) of blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders; and
- 'Other' ethnic vision-impaired comprise 11% (10,600) of blind and vision-impaired New Zealanders.
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Table 1: Distribution of Blind and Vision-Impaired New Zealanders According to 2001 Disability Survey Results
| Ethnicity | Gender | Age | 2004 Estimates - Blind | 2004 Estimates - Vision Impaired | 2004 Estimates - Total | Share of Total - Blind | Share of Total - Vision Impaired | Share of Total - Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ European | Female | 0-15 | 410 | 3,360 | 3,770 | 0.4% | 3.4% | 3.8% |
| 15-65 | 890 | 15,370 | 16,260 | 0.9% | 15.5% | 16.4% | ||
| 65+ | 3,840 | 19,700 | 23,540 | 3.9% | 19.8% | 23.7% | ||
| TOTAL | 5,140 | 38,430 | 43,570 | 5.2% | 38.7% | 43.9% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 760 | 3,360 | 4,120 | 0.8% | 3.4% | 4.1% | |
| 15-65 | 720 | 11,910 | 12,630 | 0.7% | 12.0% | 12.7% | ||
| 65+ | 1,740 | 10,330 | 12,070 | 1.8% | 10.4% | 12.2% | ||
| TOTAL | 3,220 | 25,600 | 28,820 | 3.2% | 25.8% | 29.0% | ||
| Total | 0-15 | 1,170 | 6,720 | 7,890 | 1.2% | 6.8% | 7.9% | |
| 15-65 | 1,610 | 27,280 | 28,890 | 1.6% | 27.5% | 29.1% | ||
| 65+ | 5,580 | 30,030 | 35,610 | 5.6% | 30.2% | 35.9% | ||
| TOTAL | 8,360 | 64,030 | 72,390 | 8.4% | 64.5% | 72.9% | ||
| Maori | Female | 0-15 | 240 | 1,340 | 1,580 | 0.2% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| 15-65 | 40 | 2,990 | 3,030 | 0.0% | 3.0% | 3.1% | ||
| 65+ | 190 | 3,980 | 4,170 | 0.2% | 4.0% | 4.2% | ||
| TOTAL | 470 | 8,310 | 8,780 | 0.5% | 8.4% | 8.8% |
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| Ethnicity | Gender | Age | 2004 Estimates - Blind | 2004 Estimates - Vision Impaired | 2004 Estimates - Total | Share of Total - Blind | Share of Total - Vision Impaired | Share of Total - Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 0-15 | 460 | 1,340 | 1,800 | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.8% | |
| 15-65 | 30 | 2,240 | 2,270 | 0.0% | 2.3% | 2.3% | ||
| 65+ | 90 | 2,170 | 2,260 | 0.1% | 2.2% | 2.3% | ||
| TOTAL | 580 | 5,750 | 6,330 | 0.6% | 5.8% | 6.4% | ||
| Total | 0-15 | 700 | 2,680 | 3,380 | 0.7% | 2.7% | 3.4% | |
| 15-65 | 70 | 5,230 | 5,300 | 0.1% | 5.3% | 5.3% | ||
| 65+ | 280 | 6,150 | 6,430 | 0.3% | 6.2% | 6.5% | ||
| TOTAL | 1,050 | 14,060 | 15,110 | 1.1% | 14.2% | 15.2% | ||
| Other | Female | 0-15 | 160 | 700 | 860 | 0.2% | 0.7% | 0.9% |
| 15-65 | 100 | 2,520 | 2,620 | 0.1% | 2.5% | 2.6% | ||
| 65+ | 400 | 3,060 | 3,460 | 0.4% | 3.1% | 3.5% | ||
| TOTAL | 660 | 6,280 | 6,940 | 0.7% | 6.3% | 7.0% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 300 | 680 | 980 | 0.3% | 0.7% | 1.0% | |
| 15-65 | 80 | 1,890 | 1,970 | 0.1% | 1.9% | 2.0% | ||
| 65+ | 190 | 1,700 | 1,890 | 0.2% | 1.7% | 1.9% | ||
| TOTAL | 570 | 4,270 | 4,840 | 0.6% | 4.3% | 4.9% |
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| Ethnicity | Gender | Age | 2004 Estimates - Blind | 2004 Estimates - Vision Impaired | 2004 Estimates - Total | Share of Total - Blind | Share of Total - Vision Impaired | Share of Total - Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0-15 | 460 | 1,380 | 1,840 | 0.5% | 1.4% | 1.9% | |
| 15-65 | 180 | 4,410 | 4,590 | 0.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% | ||
| 65+ | 590 | 4,760 | 5,350 | 0.6% | 4.8% | 5.4% | ||
| TOTAL | 1,230 | 10,550 | 11,780 | 1.2% | 10.6% | 11.9% | ||
| Total | Female | 0-15 | 810 | 5,400 | 6,210 | 0.8% | 5.4% | 6.3% |
| 15-65 | 1,030 | 20,880 | 21,910 | 1.0% | 21.0% | 22.1% | ||
| 65+ | 4,430 | 26,740 | 31,170 | 4.5% | 26.9% | 31.4% | ||
| TOTAL | 6,270 | 53,020 | 59,290 | 6.3% | 53.4% | 59.7% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 1,520 | 5,380 | 6,900 | 1.5% | 5.4% | 7.0% | |
| 15-65 | 830 | 16,040 | 16,870 | 0.8% | 16.2% | 17.0% | ||
| 65+ | 2,020 | 14,200 | 16,220 | 2.0% | 14.3% | 16.3% | ||
| TOTAL | 4,370 | 35,620 | 39,990 | 4.4% | 35.9% | 40.3% | ||
| Total | 0-15 | 2,330 | 10,780 | 13,110 | 2.3% | 10.9% | 13.2% | |
| 15-65 | 1,860 | 36,920 | 38,780 | 1.9% | 37.2% | 39.1% | ||
| 65+ | 6,450 | 40,940 | 47,390 | 6.5% | 41.2% | 47.7% | ||
| TOTAL | 10,640 | 88,640 | 99,280 | 10.7% | 89.3% | 100.0% |
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1.2.3 Apply Age, Sex, Ethnicity Distribution to Medium Estimate Scenario
We have distributed the ophthalmologist guided medium estimates of blindness and vision impairment according to the age, sex, ethnicity distribution of the Statistics New Zealand estimates to provide a framework for projecting future blindness and vision impairment. Table 2 shows the distribution for the estimated 11,600 blind and 34,900 vision-impaired people. The estimate of blind New Zealanders is approximately 1,000 more than the Disability Survey estimates, whilst the vision-impaired estimates are 54,000 less than the Disability Survey estimates.
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Table 2: 2004 Estimates of Blind and Vision-Impaired Population
| Ethnicity | Gender | Age | 2004 Estimates - Blind | 2004 Estimates - Vision Impaired | 2004 Estimates - Total | Share of Total - Blind | Share of Total - Vision Impaired | Share of Total - Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZ European | Female | 0-15 | 480 | 1,440 | 1,920 | 1.0% | 3.1% | 4.1% |
| 15-65 | 1,000 | 6,290 | 7,290 | 2.1% | 13.5% | 15.7% | ||
| 65+ | 4,250 | 7,910 | 12,160 | 9.1% | 17.0% | 26.1% | ||
| TOTAL | 5,730 | 15,640 | 21,370 | 12.3% | 33.6% | 45.9% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 890 | 1,440 | 2,330 | 1.9% | 3.1% | 5.0% | |
| 15-65 | 810 | 4,870 | 5,680 | 1.7% | 10.5% | 12.2% | ||
| 65+ | 1,900 | 4,090 | 5,990 | 4.1% | 8.8% | 12.9% | ||
| TOTAL | 3,600 | 10,400 | 14,000 | 7.7% | 22.4% | 30.1% | ||
| Total | 0-15 | 1,370 | 2,880 | 4,250 | 2.9% | 6.2% | 9.1% | |
| 15-65 | 1,810 | 11,160 | 12,970 | 3.9% | 24.0% | 27.9% | ||
| 65+ | 6,150 | 12,000 | 18,150 | 13.2% | 25.8% | 39.0% | ||
| TOTAL | 9,330 | 26,040 | 35,370 | 20.1% | 56.0% | 76.0% | ||
| Maori | Female | 0-15 | 270 | 550 | 820 | 0.6% | 1.2% | 1.8% |
| 15-65 | 50 | 1,180 | 1,230 | 0.1% | 2.5% | 2.6% | ||
| 65+ | 180 | 1,420 | 1,600 | 0.4% | 3.1% | 3.4% | ||
| TOTAL | 500 | 3,150 | 3,650 | 1.1% | 6.8% | 7.8% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 520 | 550 | 1,070 | 1.1% | 1.2% | 2.3% | |
| 15-65 | 30 | 880 | 910 | 0.1% | 1.9% | 2.0% | ||
| 65+ | 90 | 780 | 870 | 0.2% | 1.7% | 1.9% | ||
| TOTAL | 640 | 2,210 | 2,850 | 1.4% | 4.7% | 6.1% |
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| Ethnicity | Gender | Age | 2004 Estimates - Blind | 2004 Estimates - Vision Impaired | 2004 Estimates - Total | Share of Total - Blind | Share of Total - Vision Impaired | Share of Total - Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0-15 | 790 | 1,100 | 1,890 | 1.7% | 2.4% | 4.1% | |
| 15-65 | 80 | 2,060 | 2,140 | 0.2% | 4.4% | 4.6% | ||
| 65+ | 270 | 2,200 | 2,470 | 0.6% | 4.7% | 5.3% | ||
| TOTAL | 1,140 | 5,360 | 6,500 | 2.5% | 11.5% | 14.0% | ||
| Other | Female | 0-15 | 160 | 250 | 410 | 0.3% | 0.5% | 0.9% |
| 15-65 | 90 | 840 | 930 | 0.2% | 1.8% | 2.0% | ||
| 65+ | 360 | 1,010 | 1,370 | 0.8% | 2.2% | 2.9% | ||
| TOTAL | 610 | 2,100 | 2,710 | 1.3% | 4.5% | 5.8% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 300 | 240 | 540 | 0.6% | 0.5% | 1.2% | |
| 15-65 | 70 | 620 | 690 | 0.2% | 1.3% | 1.5% | ||
| 65+ | 170 | 550 | 720 | 0.4% | 1.2% | 1.5% | ||
| TOTAL | 540 | 1,410 | 1,950 | 1.2% | 3.0% | 4.2% | ||
| Total | 0-15 | 460 | 490 | 950 | 1.0% | 1.1% | 2.0% | |
| 15-65 | 160 | 1,460 | 1,620 | 0.3% | 3.1% | 3.5% | ||
| 65+ | 530 | 1,560 | 2,090 | 1.1% | 3.4% | 4.5% | ||
| TOTAL | 1,150 | 3,510 | 4,660 | 2.5% | 7.5% | 10.0% | ||
| Total | Female | 0-15 | 910 | 2,240 | 3,150 | 2.0% | 4.8% | 6.8% |
| 15-65 | 1,140 | 8,310 | 9,450 | 2.5% | 17.9% | 20.3% | ||
| 65+ | 4,790 | 10,340 | 15,130 | 10.3% | 22.2% | 32.5% | ||
| TOTAL | 6,840 | 20,890 | 27,730 | 14.7% | 44.9% | 59.6% | ||
| Male | 0-15 | 1,710 | 2,230 | 3,940 | 3.7% | 4.8% | 8.5% | |
| 15-65 | 910 | 6,370 | 7,280 | 2.0% | 13.7% | 15.6% | ||
| 65+ | 2,160 | 5,420 | 7,580 | 4.6% | 11.6% | 16.3% | ||
| TOTAL | 4,780 | 14,020 | 18,800 | 10.3% | 30.1% | 40.4% |
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| Ethnicity | Gender | Age | 2004 Estimates - Blind | 2004 Estimates - Vision Impaired | 2004 Estimates - Total | Share of Total - Blind | Share of Total - Vision Impaired | Share of Total - Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 0-15 | 2,620 | 4,470 | 7,090 | 5.6% | 9.6% | 15.2% | |
| 15-65 | 2,050 | 14,680 | 16,730 | 4.4% | 31.5% | 36.0% | ||
| 65+ | 6,950 | 15,760 | 22,710 | 14.9% | 33.9% | 48.8% | ||
| TOTAL | 11,620 | 34,910 | 46,530 | 25.0% | 75.0% | 100.0% |
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1.3 Vision Education Agency National Database for Learners who are Blind and Vision-impaired
1.3.1 Data Collection
The Vision Education Agency (VEA) is an independent organisation that researches and provides information about the educational needs of blind and vision-impaired students. VEA collects data from every student that receives Ongoing Reviewable Resource Scheme (ORRS) teacher time due to a visual impairment. The data is collected in the National Database for Learners who are blind or vision-impaired. The database contains demographic, communication and resourcing information for every student.
1.3.2 VEA Estimates of Children's Visual Status
The VEA had 1,110 students with vision impairment or blindness in 2002. Of these students, 230 had visual acuity of 6/18, equating to Normal Vision in the WHO Classification of Visual Performance. The VEA monitors students with 6/18 visual acuity or worse because poor vision may impede children's educational attainment. This also means that students with multiple disabilities (for examples vision impairment and intellectual disabilities) can get support from the agency.
There were 359 students for whom visual acuity information had not been collected. These students have been pro-rated across blind and vision-impaired categories according to age and sex (Table 3).
- Approximately 20% of students are blind, 50% are vision-impaired and 30% are normal sighted;
- 58% of students are male;
- 5% of students are aged over 18 years;
- 65% of students were NZ European;
- 21% of students were Maori; and
- 14% of students were 'other' ethnicities.
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Table 3: VEA Students with Blindness or Vision Impairment (2002)
| Gender | Age Group | Blind | Vision-impaired | Sighted | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 0-18 | 112 | 307 | 184 | 603 |
| 18+ | 10 | 21 | 2 | 33 | |
| Total | 122 | 328 | 186 | 636 | |
| Female | 0-18 | 89 | 216 | 144 | 449 |
| 18+ | 5 | 10 | 5 | 20 | |
| Total | 94 | 226 | 149 | 469 | |
| Total | 0-18 | 201 | 523 | 328 | 1,052 |
| 18+ | 15 | 31 | 7 | 53 | |
| Total | 216 | 554 | 335 | 1,105 |
1.3.3 Land Transport Safety Authority Drivers Licensing
The Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) is responsible for issuing drivers licences in New Zealand. Every person applying for a new licence or renewing a driver's licence has their vision tested at the time of the application. Individuals must have a visual acuity better than 6/18 to be eligible for a drivers licence.
LTSA provided a breakdown of the number of applicants who remained unfit for driving, because of their vision, for the last five years. The May 1999 to June 2000 period was unusual because all driver licences were reissued in the new plastic form. This meant that every driver had to reapply for a licence, and were consequently vision tested.
It is unclear whether applicants have reapplied over time for drivers licences and been refused again. This means that the figures may over estimate the number of applicants with vision impairment. Additionally, blind and vision-impaired individuals who know their visual acuity is worse than 6/18 may not apply for a drivers licence because they know they will fail the eyesight test.
1.3.4 May 1999-June 2000 Unfit Applications
The main points from the LTSA data for unfit applications for the May 1999-June 2000 period are:
- There were 2,146 unfit applications due to vision worse than 6/18 acuity;
- Young males (15-39 years) accounted for 31% (658) of unfit applications;
- Young females (15-39 years) accounted for 26% (551) of unfit applications;
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- Middle aged males (40-64 years) accounted for 19% (404) of unfit applications;
- Middle aged females (40-64 years) accounted for 11% (226) of unfit applications;
- Older males (older than 65 years) accounted for 13% (282) of unfit applications; and,
- Older females (older than 65 years) accounted for 8% (174) of unfit applications.
1.3.5 July 2000-June 2001 Unfit Applications
The main points from the LTSA data for unfit applications for the July 2000-June 2001 period are:
- There were 822 unfit applications due to vision worse than 6/18 acuity;
- Overall, young people (15-39 years) accounted for 73% (597) of unfit applications;
- Middle aged people (40-64 years) accounted for 22% (179) of unfit applications; and,
- Older people (older than 65 years) accounted for 6% (46) of unfit applications.
1.3.6 July 2001-June 2002 Unfit Applications
The main points from the LTSA data for unfit applications for the July 2001-June 2002 period are:
- There were 928 unfit applications due to vision worse than 6/18 acuity;
- Overall, young people (15-39 years) accounted for 83% (771) of unfit applications;
- Middle aged people (40-64 years) accounted for 13% (124) of unfit applications; and,
- Older people (older than 65 years) accounted for 4% (33) of unfit applications.
1.3.7 July 2002-June 2003 Unfit Applications
The main points from the LTSA data for unfit applications for the July 2002-June 2003 period are:
- There were 1,487 unfit applications due to vision worse than 6/18 acuity;
- Overall, young people (15-39 years) accounted for 85% (1,265) of unfit applications;
- Middle aged people (40-64 years) accounted for 13% (186) of unfit applications; and,
- Older people (older than 65 years) accounted for 2% (36) of unfit applications