In the Republic of Armenia, as of 2007-2009, blind were on average 0.7% of the population, 4.1% had low vision, according to the presented estimates. On the whole, 4.8% of country’s population had visual impairment. Over time, the blindness prevalence estimates have altered - decreasing from 1.3% to 0.7%, while the estimates of low vision have increased. The latter solely has contributed to the increase in the visual impairment indicators in the country. Nonetheless, for 2007-2009, the blindness prevalence estimates for Armenia are in between the lower and upper thresholds set by the World Health Organization for the Caucasus, while the low vision estimates exceed the upper threshold by 1.2%. Visual impairment is more prevalent among the population of 50 years old and above. A significant portion of people with visual impairment are 50 years old or more. Prevalence of blindness among this age group is essentially higher. According to the AECP data, in 2007-2009, the prevalence of blindness in this age group had been higher than that of the average country by 2.7% and the low vision by 1.6% (see graph 7).
Weighing of the data collected by the AECP (adjustment to the age-sex structure of the population of the Republic of Armenia) and spreading have allowed receiving estimates for the prevalence of eye diseases in the country (see table 6). The latter, however, has been calculated based on the data of the AECP third tour, taking into consideration two reasons: 1) regular upgrades of the AECP questionnaires secured a more detailed breakdown of eye diseases, 2) these data are fresher. 92