Vision Statistics in Alaska

Looking at vision health as one ages is important in Alaska. In 2018, a higher percentage of people aged 65 and older in Alaska experienced blindness or difficulty seeing compared to those aged 40-64. 

Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of vision problems, affecting one's vision health. These risk factors include:

• a family history of eye issues 
• diabetes
• alcoholism 

Can all affect your vision health. 

In Alaska in 2018, the percentage of people with diabetes who were blind or had difficulty seeing was almost double that of the overall population, indicating that having diabetes increases the risk of vision problems by approximately 6.64%.³ 

Smoking also has effects on vision health. It increases the risk of vision problems. 

In Alaska in 2018, the percentage of people who smoked tobacco and had difficulty seeing was higher (14.1%) than the overall percentage of people who had difficulty seeing (5.96%), indicating that smoking increases the risk of vision problems in that state by approximately 8%.³

Difficulty Seeing or Blindness Statistics for Alaska

Here are some important statistics regarding difficulty seeing and blindness:²

• In 2018, Alaska had 5.96% of the population reporting as blind or having difficulty seeing even with glasses
• This number was 5.57% for those aged 18 to 39
• The age range of 40-64 reported this number as 5.38%
• Those older than 65 reported a number of 8.56%

Age-Related Vision Issues

Common vision issues that increase with age are:^4,7

• Glaucoma is an eye condition that leads to optic nerve damage and vision loss.
• Cataracts are cloudy patches in the eye's lens that cause blurry or dim vision. 
• Age-related macular degeneration is an eye condition that affects the macula. It causes central vision loss.
• Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina. It can cause blurred vision or even blindness.
• Refractive errors include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These errors cause blurred vision.

How Risk Factors Other Than Age Affect Vision

Sometimes, other factors other than age affect your vision. For instance:³

• In 2018, the number of people with diabetes reported blind or difficulty in Alaska seeing even with corrective lenses as 11.6%
• For those who smoke in Alaska, the percentage was 14.1

Children's Vision Health Statistics for Alaska

Vision health while young can significantly impact a person's overall quality of life when they are older. Poor vision health in youth can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness later in life. 

Here are some statistics on children's vision health in Alaska:⁴

• In Alaska, 71.44% have ever had their vision tested in 2017
• In 2017, 1.76% of children under 18 were blind or had problems seeing even with glasses
• In the United States in 2017, 24.46% of children who needed vision care in the preceding 12 months didn?t receive it. 

Children, teens, and adults must take preventative measures to protect their vision and maintain clear eyesight. 

Preventative Measures for Optimal Vision Health

Here are some ways to keep your vision healthy as you age:⁷

• Get regular eye exams. Regular eye exams can help detect vision problems early on.
• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Sun exposure can damage the eyes. Make sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection when outside.
• Eat a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can help protect your eyes.
• Quit smoking. If you're a smoker, quitting can help reduce your risk of developing age-related vision problems.
• Take breaks when using digital devices. Staring at screens for too long can strain your eyes. Take breaks every 20 minutes or so.

Summary

Your vision health is important, no matter how old you are. Certain risk factors can increase your chance of vision problems even more, such as smoking and diabetes.

The statistics above show the importance of caring for your vision health and getting regular eye exams. As you age, getting regular vision exams and taking preventive measures to protect your vision is very important.