Vision Statistics in Arkansas

Arkansas continues to face a widespread challenge in maintaining vision health, with rates of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and other eye conditions exceeding national averages. The following analysis presents a data-driven overview of current trends, highlighting key statistics that underscore the prevalence of eye diseases, disparities across demographic groups, and notable comparisons with neighboring states.

Although public awareness of eye health has grown, many Arkansans remain under-served due to provider shortages and socioeconomic barriers. These factors contribute to delayed diagnoses, lower screening rates, and stark contrasts in outcomes among rural and urban populations.

Quick Facts and Key Highlights

Below are a few noteworthy figures illustrating the scope of vision health concerns in Arkansas.

• 15% of Arkansas’ diabetic population is affected by diabetic retinopathy.
• 13.7% of adults aged 40 or older experience age-related macular degeneration.
• 5.5% of residents aged 40 or older have glaucoma.
• 25% of school-age children are affected by refractive errors, with only 32.3% receiving corrective lenses after screening referrals.

These statistics highlight an urgent need for better screening adherence and expanded coverage, especially in regions with limited access to professional eye care. The sections below provide more in-depth data on specific conditions, demographic variations, and patterns of vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy and Related Eye Conditions

Data on diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Arkansas underscores the importance of consistent screenings and early intervention.

• 15% of the diabetic population in Arkansas is affected by DR.
• In a 2023 screening program, 52.6% of participants had never received a prior eye exam.
• DR prevalence is higher in rural counties, aligned with limited HbA1c monitoring rates and higher poverty levels.
• Black and Hispanic patients present with more advanced DR at initial diagnosis, reflecting structural inequities in care access.
• A 35% annual eye exam rate among diabetic patients in Arkansas contrasts with 40% in Mississippi.

These numbers illustrate how socioeconomic factors influence disease severity and screening regularity. Below is a comparison table highlighting DR screening gaps across select Arkansas counties.

Age-Related Eye Disease Trends

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts significantly affect Arkansas adults over 40, contributing to vision impairment and blindness.

• The AMD prevalence in Arkansas for adults ≥40 stands at 13.7%, higher than the national average of 12.6%.
• By 2025, 3.3% of Arkansans are projected to experience vision-threatening AMD, exceeding the 2.65% estimate in Florida.
• Cataract prevalence in the state was 13.7% in 2010, with uninsured rural residents facing significant surgical coverage gaps.
• Adults aged 85 and older account for 46.6% of AMD cases in Arkansas.
• 20% of permanent vision loss statewide occurs in the 85+ age group.

The figures suggest that older adults in Arkansas carry a larger share of the overall burden of eye disease. The table below highlights AMD prevalence comparisons across three states with high vision impairment rates.

Glaucoma, Refractive Errors, and Access Gaps

Glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors further reflect the scale of vision problems across Arkansas, often magnified by inequitable healthcare access.

• 5.5% of Arkansans 40 and older have glaucoma.
• Black residents experience 6–8 times higher rates of optic nerve damage from glaucoma than White residents.
• Statewide, 25% of school-age children have refractive errors, while only 32.3% receive corrective lenses after referrals.
• Hyperopia is 1.5× more prevalent in White and Hispanic children; myopia rates are higher among Black children.
• 68.3% of students in impoverished districts lack follow-up after vision screening referrals due to transportation barriers.

These statistics highlight how geographic isolation, lower rates of vision insurance, and limited provider availability can compound eye health issues. The table below demonstrates the disparity in provider-to-patient ratios.

Demographic Variations in Vision Health

Disaggregating data by race, ethnicity, and gender underscores the uneven distribution of vision health outcomes across Arkansas.

• Black Arkansans have a 2.1× higher rate of severe vision loss from AMD compared to Whites, despite a lower AMD prevalence of 7.0%.
• Hispanic children experience a 52% unmet need for corrective lenses.
• Immigrant communities (4% of the state population) show 30% lower dilated exam rates than U.S.-born residents.
• Females represent 58.7% of glaucoma patients and 64% of AMD cases in Arkansas, possibly linked to longer life expectancy.
• Males account for 62% of trauma-related vision loss statewide.

These demographic trends show that conditions like AMD and glaucoma vary not only by age group but also by gender and race. Uncorrected refractive errors among children in marginalized communities further complicate the state’s overall vision health profile. The table below highlights selected demographic disparities:

Key Statistics Summary

• Diabetic retinopathy affects 15% of the state’s diabetic population.
• Arkansas’ AMD prevalence stands at 13.7% among adults ≥40.
• Glaucoma impacts 5.5% of adults aged 40 and older, with Black residents facing disproportionately higher rates.
• Only 32.3% of children with refractive errors receive corrective lenses post-screening referrals.

From diabetic retinopathy to advanced AMD, these data points highlight the importance of regular screening and awareness campaigns across Arkansas. High-risk demographics, including rural populations and marginalized communities, remain particularly vulnerable to vision impairment. Focusing on earlier detection, reduced transportation barriers, and broader availability of care may reduce vision loss rates statewide.