The demographic, social, and conceptual contexts of aging and vision loss.

Background: Age-related changes to the eye and functional implications of vision loss are well-known. However, these changes occur in the context of broad demographic and social changes.

Methods: The structural demographic changes in the United States, the social context of vision and aging, and the conceptual model of disablement are reviewed.

Results: The International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1980, and may serve as a model for our better understanding of how the structural demographic changes, the social context of vision and aging, and the conceptual model of disablement are affecting public policy in eye and vision care.

Conclusions: At present, there is no comprehensive national policy that addresses the eye and visual rehabilitation of older persons who have lost vision. Defining a conceptual context may help us develop public policy to meet the demands of the aforementioned social and demographic changes.