Table of Contents

Component Description

The vision section (abbreviated “VIQ”) provides personal interview data on several vision topics.

Topics and the target population groups in the VIQ section:

Eligible Sample

All survey participants 12 years and older were eligible for the first set of questions on blindness and general conditions of eyesight. Participants 20 years and older were asked further detailed questions about activity limitations due to their vision and cataract operation. Participants 40 years and older were eligible for a new set of questions on eye diseases, including glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

These questions were asked before the physical examination, in the home, using the Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing-CAPI (interviewer administered) system. Hand cards showing response categories were also used for some questions. When necessary, household interviewers read the hand cards to respondents.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Several types of quality control were implemented to ensure that high quality data were collected during the survey.

The CAPI system is programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. CAPI also uses online help screens to assist interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire.

Additional details describing the quality assurance/quality control processes are provided in the survey procedures manuals.

Data Processing and Editing

Frequency counts were checked, “skip” patterns were verified, and the reasonableness of responses to the questions was reviewed.

Analytic Notes

The 2007-2008 vision questionnaire data is the same as the 2005-2006 publicly released file.

In addition to the vision questionnaire data, general vision examination and special ophthalmic examination data can be found in the vision section and ophthalmology section of the NHANES 2007-2008 Exam Files (VIX and OPX). These data may be linked using the unique survey participant identifier, SEQN.

Although these data were collected as part of the household questionnaire, if they are merged with the MEC exam data, exam sample weights should be used for the analyses.

Please refer to the Analytic Guidelines for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues. The Analytic Guidelines are available on the NHANES website.

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS

VIQ010 - Can see light

Variable Name:
VIQ010
SAS Label:
Can see light
English Text:
Next I have general questions about (your/SP's) vision. With both eyes open, can (you/he/she) see light?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF VIQ.010 = 2 AND MCQ.140 = 1, DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "YOU HAVE CODED THAT SP CANNOT SEE LIGHT - PLEASE VERIFY BY REENTERING THE RESPONSE." CAPI SHOULD DISPLAY VIQ.010 AGAIN WITH BLANK ENTRY. IF VIQ.010 = 2 AND MCQ.140 = 2, DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "YOU HAVE CODED THAT SP CANNOT SEE LIGHT. EARLIER SP REPORTED NO TROUBLE SEEING. RECONCILE RESPONSES WITH SP AND CHANGE RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW." DISPLAY RESPONSES TO BOTH - WITH LABELS. MCQ.140 - TROUBLE SEEING, VIQ.010 - SEE LIGHT, HIGHLIGHT MUST BE ON VIQ.010.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 7164 7164 VIQ031
2 No 8 7172
7 Refused 0 7172
9 Don't know 1 7173
. Missing 0 7173

VIQ017 - Blind in both eyes

Variable Name:
VIQ017
SAS Label:
Blind in both eyes
English Text:
{Are you/Is SP} blind in both eyes?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF VIQ.010 = 2 (NO) AND VIQ.017 = 2 (NO), DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "YOU HAVE CODED THAT SP IS NOT BLIND. EARLIER SP REPORTED THAT HE/SHE CANNOT SEE LIGHT. RECONCILE RESPONSES WITH SP AND CHANGE RESPONSE TO ONE QUESTION BELOW:" DISPLAY RESPONSES TO BOTH VIQ.010 AND VIQ.017 WITH LABELS. PLACE HIGHLIGHT ON VIQ.010.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 8 8 VIQ071
2 No 0 8
7 Refused 0 8
9 Don't know 1 9
. Missing 7164 7173

VIQ031 - General condition of eyesight

Variable Name:
VIQ031
SAS Label:
General condition of eyesight
English Text:
At the present time, would you say (your/SP'S) eyesight, with glasses or contact lenses if (you/he/she) wear them is.....
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF VIQ.010 = 2 AND VIQ.031 = 1 (EXCELLENT vision), DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "YOU HAVE CODED THAT SP CANNOT SEE LIGHT. SP REPORTED EXCELLENT VISION. RECONCILE RESPONSES WITH SP AND CHANGE RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW." DISPLAY RESPONSES TO ALL - WITH LABELS. VIQ.010 - CAN'T SEE LIGHT VIQ.031 = 1 (EXCELLENT vision) HIGHLIGHT MUST BE ON VIQ.010.
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Excellent, 2405 2405
2 Good, 3287 5692
3 Fair, 1133 6825
4 Poor, or 271 7096
5 Very poor? 64 7160
7 Refused 0 7160
9 Don't know 5 7165
. Missing 8 7173

VIQ041 - Time worrying about eyesight

Variable Name:
VIQ041
SAS Label:
Time worrying about eyesight
English Text:
How much of the time {do you/does SP} worry about {your/his/her} eyesight? Would you say . . .
Target:
Both males and females 12 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 None of the time, 4235 4235
1 A little of the time, 1312 5547
2 Some of the time, 966 6513
3 Most of the time, or 300 6813
4 All of the time? 348 7161
7 Refused 0 7161
9 Don't know 4 7165
. Missing 8 7173

VIQ051A - Difficulty reading ordinary newsprint

Variable Name:
VIQ051A
SAS Label:
Difficulty reading ordinary newsprint
English Text:
The next questions are about how much difficulty, if any, {you have/SP has} doing certain activities, such as reading ordinary newsprint or going down steps. If {you/s/he} usually wear{s} glasses or contact lenses to do these activities, please rate {your/his/her} ability to do them while wearing {your/his/her} glasses or contacts. How much difficulty {do you/does SP} have . . .reading ordinary print in newspapers?
English Instructions:
HAND CARD VIQ1. READ CATEGORIES TO RESPONDENT IF NECESSARY.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No difficulty 4454 4454
2 A little difficulty 842 5296
3 Moderate difficulty 321 5617
4 Extreme difficulty 138 5755
5 Unable to do because of eyesight 74 5829
6 Does not do this for other reasons 95 5924
77 Refused 0 5924
99 Don't know 3 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ051B - Difficulty with up close work or chores

Variable Name:
VIQ051B
SAS Label:
Difficulty with up close work or chores
English Text:
How much difficulty {do you/does SP} have . . .doing work or hobbies that require {you/him/her} to see well up close such as cooking, sewing, fixing things around the house, or using hand tools?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No difficulty 4757 4757
2 A little difficulty 717 5474
3 Moderate difficulty 236 5710
4 Extreme difficulty 73 5783
5 Unable to do because of eyesight 49 5832
6 Does not do this for other reasons 94 5926
77 Refused 0 5926
99 Don't know 1 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ051C - Difficulty seeing steps/curbs-dim light

Variable Name:
VIQ051C
SAS Label:
Difficulty seeing steps/curbs-dim light
English Text:
How much difficulty {do you/does SP} have . . .going down steps, stairs, or curbs in dim light or at night?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No difficulty 4716 4716
2 A little difficulty 663 5379
3 Moderate difficulty 243 5622
4 Extreme difficulty 116 5738
5 Unable to do because of eyesight 39 5777
6 Does not do this for other reasons 148 5925
77 Refused 1 5926
99 Don't know 1 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ051D - Difficulty noticing objects to side

Variable Name:
VIQ051D
SAS Label:
Difficulty noticing objects to side
English Text:
How much difficulty {do you/does SP} have . . .noticing objects off to the side while {you are/s/he is} walking?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No difficulty 5236 5236
2 A little difficulty 406 5642
3 Moderate difficulty 168 5810
4 Extreme difficulty 57 5867
5 Unable to do because of eyesight 27 5894
6 Does not do this for other reasons 29 5923
77 Refused 0 5923
99 Don't know 4 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ051E - Difficulty findng object on crowdedshelf

Variable Name:
VIQ051E
SAS Label:
Difficulty findng object on crowdedshelf
English Text:
How much difficulty {do you/does SP} have . . .finding something on a crowded shelf?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No difficulty 5133 5133
2 A little difficulty 501 5634
3 Moderate difficulty 172 5806
4 Extreme difficulty 61 5867
5 Unable to do because of eyesight 22 5889
6 Does not do this for other reasons 35 5924
77 Refused 0 5924
99 Don't know 3 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ056 - Difficulty drivng daytime-familiar place

Variable Name:
VIQ056
SAS Label:
Difficulty drivng daytime-familiar place
English Text:
How much difficulty {do you/does SP} have driving during the daytime in familiar places?
English Instructions:
CAPI INSTRUCTION: IF VIQ.010 = 2 AND VIQ.056 = 1 (NO DIFFICULTY), DISPLAY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: "YOU HAVE REPORTED THAT SP CANNOT SEE LIGHT. SP REPORTED NO DIFFICULTY DRIVING. RECONCILE RESPONSES WITH SP AND CHANGE RESPONSE TO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW." DISPLAY RESPONSES TO ALL - WITH LABELS. VIQ.010 - CAN'T SEE LIGHT VIQ.056 = 1 (NO DIFFICULTY), HIGHLIGHT MUST BE ON VIQ.010.
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 No difficulty 4871 4871
2 A little difficulty 167 5038
3 Moderate difficulty 43 5081
4 Extreme difficulty 14 5095
5 Unable to do because of eyesight 57 5152
6 Does not do this for other reasons 349 5501
7 Never drove 425 5926
77 Refused 0 5926
99 Don't know 1 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ061 - Vision limits how long can do activities

Variable Name:
VIQ061
SAS Label:
Vision limits how long can do activities
English Text:
How limited {are you/is SP} in how long {you/s/he} can work or do other daily activities such as housework, child care, school, or community activities because of {your/his/her} vision? Would you say {you are/s/he is} limited . . .
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 None of the time, 5132 5132
1 A little of the time, 413 5545
2 Some of the time, 228 5773
3 Most of the time, or 68 5841
4 All of the time? 82 5923
7 Refused 0 5923
9 Don't know 4 5927
. Missing 1246 7173

VIQ071 - Ever had a cataract operation

Variable Name:
VIQ071
SAS Label:
Ever had a cataract operation
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever had a cataract operation?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 631 631
2 No 5300 5931 VIQ090
7 Refused 0 5931 VIQ090
9 Don't Know 4 5935 VIQ090
. Missing 1238 7173

VIQ081 - Operation in right, left or both eyes

Variable Name:
VIQ081
SAS Label:
Operation in right, left or both eyes
English Text:
Was the operation in {your/SPs} right eye, left eye, or both eyes?
Target:
Both males and females 20 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right eye 89 89
2 Left eye 98 187
3 Both 443 630
7 Refused 0 630
9 Don't know 1 631
. Missing 6542 7173

VIQ090 - Ever told had glaucoma

Variable Name:
VIQ090
SAS Label:
Ever told had glaucoma
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever been told by an eye doctor that {you have/s/he has} glaucoma (gla-co-ma), sometimes called high pressure in {your/his/her} eyes?
Target:
Both males and females 40 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 263 263
2 No 3747 4010 VIQ310
7 Refused 0 4010 VIQ310
9 Don't know 14 4024 VIQ310
. Missing 3149 7173

VIQ100 - Glaucoma in which eye

Variable Name:
VIQ100
SAS Label:
Glaucoma in which eye
English Text:
Was the glaucoma in {your/his/her} right eye, left eye, or both eyes?
Target:
Both males and females 40 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right eye 35 35
2 Left eye 49 84
3 Both 162 246
7 Refused 0 246
9 Don't know 17 263
. Missing 6910 7173

VIQ310 - Told had macular degeneration

Variable Name:
VIQ310
SAS Label:
Told had macular degeneration
English Text:
{Have you/Has SP} ever been told by an eye doctor that {you have/s/he has} age-related macular (mac-u-lar) degeneration?
Target:
Both males and females 40 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 148 148
2 No 3844 3992 End of Section
7 Refused 0 3992 End of Section
9 Don't know 32 4024 End of Section
. Missing 3149 7173

VIQ320 - Macular degeneration in which eye

Variable Name:
VIQ320
SAS Label:
Macular degeneration in which eye
English Text:
Was the age-related macular (mac-u-lar) degeneration in {your/his/her} right eye, left eye, or both eyes?
Target:
Both males and females 40 YEARS - 150 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Right eye 30 30
2 Left eye 22 52
3 Both 85 137
7 Refused 0 137
9 Don't know 11 148
. Missing 7025 7173