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Blindness in Canada

Today, an estimated 1.5 Million Canadians identify themselves as having a sight loss. An estimated 5.59 million more have an eye disease that could cause sight loss.

Here, you’ll find key statistics about blindness and its impact from coast to coast, from Canadian Survey on Disabilities 2017. These numbers include people with mild to very severe vision loss.

Blindness by province

  • British Columbia: 252,000
  • Alberta: 160,000
  • Saskatchewan: 43,000
  • Manitoba: 57,000
  • Ontario: 681,000
  • Quebec: 205,900
  • New Brunswick: 37,750
  • Nova Scotia: 49,500
  • Prince Edward Island: 6,250
  • Newfoundland and Labrador: 21,700
  • Yukon: 1,400
  • North West Territories: 1,220
  • Nunavut: 1,280

Causes of blindness

The leading causes of blindness in Canada are:

  • cataracts: 3,541,000 people 
  • age-related macular degeneration: 1,574,000 people 
  • glaucoma: 294,600 people 
  • diabetic retinopathy: 749,800 people 

Source: The Cost of Vision Loss Report.