Background: Outcomes among hospitalized patients with severe vision impairment or blindness have not been extensively explored. This study sought to determine clinical and resource utilization outcomes in patients with severe vision impairment/blindness (SVI/B).Methods This was a retrospective study using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the year 2017, hospitalized adults with and without severe vision impairment/blindness were compared. Multiple logistic regression and linear analysis were

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... sed to evaluate mortality, disposition, length of stay, and hospital charges. Results: 30,420,907 adults were hospitalized, and among these 37,200 had SVI/B. Patients with SVI/B were older (mean age ± SEM: 66.4±0.24 vs. 57.9±0.09 years, p <0.01), less likely to be female (50% vs 57.7%, p <0.01), and more frequently insured by Medicare (75.7% vs 49.2%, p <0.01). Patients with SVI/B had more comorbidities (Charlson comorbidity score ≥ 3: 53.2% vs 27.8%, p <0.01). They also had a higher mortality rate (3.9% vs 2.2%; p<0.01). Those with SVI/B were less likely discharged home (adjusted Odds Ratio {aOR} =0.54, [Confidence Interval (CI) 0.51-0.58]; p <0.01). Hospital charges were not significantly different (adjusted Mean Difference {aMD} = $247 CI [-$2,474-2,929]; p=0.85) but length of stay was longer (aMD= 0.5 days CI [0.3-0.7]; p<0.01) for those with SVI/B.Conclusion: Patients admitted to American hospitals in 2017 who had severe vision impairment or blindness had worse clinical and greater resources utilization. Hospital-based providers should recognize this vulnerable patient population as being at risk for adverse outcomes during hospitalization and determine interventional strategies.