× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

Skip Navigation LinksAnophthalmia-and-Microphthalmia

California BIRTH Defects Monitoring

What are Anophthalmia and Microphthalmia?

Anophthalmia and microphthalmia are birth defects of a baby's eye(s). Anophthalmia is a birth defect where a baby is born without one or both eyes. Microphthalmia is a birth defect in which one or both eyes did not develop fully, so they are small. Anophthalmia and microphthalmia develop during pregnancy and can occur alone, with other birth defects, or as part of a syndrome. Anophthalmia and microphthalmia often result in blindness or limited vision.

Description provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For more in-depth information and reference articles about anophthalmia and microphthalmia, please visit Facts about Anophthalmia/Microphthalmia.

​Mother's Age
​Prevalence Rate (per 10,000 births)
​<20
​1.1
​20-24
​1.6
​25-29
​1.7
​30-34
​1.7
​35-39
​2.1
​40+
​6.0
​All Births
1.8

Mother's Race/Ethnicity*
​Prevalence Rate
​White
​1.5
​Black
​2.0
​Hispanic
​1.5
​Asian/Pacific Islander
​2.7

*White, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander categories are all non-Hispanic

Data Source: California Birth Defects Monitoring Program Registry, 2012-2016 (PDF)

California Central Valley Counties (Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tulare).

Back to Data Sheets

Page Last Updated :