Vision Statistics in California

California’s population of nearly 39 million people presents a unique landscape for examining eye health statistics and trends. Understanding the numbers behind vision conditions—from prevalence rates to demographic breakdowns—offers critical insight into how eye care needs evolve across diverse regions.

As of 2025, data shows that age-related vision disorders, disparities in care access, and socioeconomic factors intersect to create varied outcomes across the state. The following sections compile essential statistics on these issues, illustrating statewide patterns and identifying high-need populations for targeted strategies.

Key Eye Health Statistics in California

Below are several noteworthy data points that reflect the scope and impact of eye health issues throughout the state.

• 2.3% overall statewide prevalence of visual impairment has remained relatively stable between 2010 and 2019
• 6.59% of Medicare beneficiaries in Los Angeles County have glaucoma
• 53.4% of individuals over age 75 are affected by cataracts statewide
• 39.24 eye care clinicians per 100,000 residents in San Francisco County, compared to 0 in some rural counties

Each statistic highlights a unique facet of eye health challenges faced in California. Taken together, they illustrate the wide range of needs across different regions and populations.

Prevalence and Leading Causes of Vision Impairment

Prevalence data provides an essential baseline for evaluating the scope of eye health challenges in California.

• 2.3% of California’s overall population reported visual impairment in recent statewide surveys
• 3.01% of Medicare beneficiaries in Los Angeles County have age-related macular degeneration
• 6.59% of Medicare recipients in LA County report glaucoma, a primary cause of irreversible blindness
• 1.82% of Medicare beneficiaries experience diabetic retinopathy, closely linked to poor glycemic control

Several conditions consistently emerge as leading causes of diminished vision. Glaucoma is notably prevalent, particularly among older adults, while cataracts remain widespread in the senior population.

Condition	Prevalence Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Glaucoma	6.59%
AMD (Los Angeles County)	3.01%
Diabetic Retinopathy	1.82%

Age-Related and Gender Patterns

Both age and gender are primary drivers of vision health outcomes in California.

• 15.8% of Californians were aged 65 or older by 2023, projected to rise to 20% by 2030
• 53.4% of individuals over age 75 have cataracts, exacerbated by high UV exposure
• 8.23% vision loss prevalence among adults over 65, compared to 3.11% for ages 18–39
• 55–60% of glaucoma and AMD cases affect women, partly due to longer life expectancy

The upward trend in the senior population increases the likelihood of age-related eye conditions. Meanwhile, women’s higher share of later-in-life vision disease underscores the interplay between longevity and risk.

Age Group	Vision Loss Prevalence	Leading Condition
18–39	3.11%	Refractive error
40–64	5.07%	Cataracts (emerging)
65+	8.23%	AMD/Cataracts

Rural-Urban Disparities in Eye Care Access

Provider shortages and population density heavily influence vision health and treatment availability across California.

• 39.24 clinicians per 100,000 residents in San Francisco County
• 0 clinicians in Alpine, Mariposa, Inyo, and Sierra counties during 2018–2020
• 5,127.94 per 100,000 vision impairment prevalence in Tehama County
• 1,705.68 per 100,000 vision impairment prevalence in San Mateo County

Uneven distribution of eye care experts and clinics leads to stark differences in treatment outcomes between urban and rural areas, with some regions reporting significantly higher rates of untreated conditions.

County	Clinicians per 100,000 Residents	Vision Impairment Rate (per 100,000)
San Francisco	39.24	N/A
Tehama	N/A	5,127.94
San Mateo	N/A	1,705.68
Alpine, Mariposa, Inyo, Sierra	0	N/A

Racial and Ethnic Variations in California

Different communities in California experience varied eye health outcomes based on factors like access to culturally competent providers and underlying genetic predispositions.

• 9.3% visual impairment prevalence in La Puente’s largely Latino community
• African Americans in California are up to 3–4 times more likely to develop glaucoma compared to non-Hispanic whites
• Latino populations often report limited bilingual eye care providers in regions with high Spanish-speaking populations
• Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is higher in areas with elevated rates of diabetes and prediabetes

Such statistics highlight the need for targeted services to reduce disparities among racial and ethnic groups, including strategies to address language barriers and tailor community outreach efforts.

Insurance Coverage and Workforce Distribution

Health coverage and the presence of specialized providers are critical for preventing and managing visual impairment.

• 69.8% of adults in California have vision coverage through employers or Medicaid
• 22.18 eye care clinicians per 100,000 residents overall, ranking California above Arizona and Oregon
• 21% of Medical Service Study Areas in California report no ophthalmologists available
• 8% of Californians have diabetes; 14.8% have prediabetes, driving the burden of diabetic retinopathy

These figures underscore how insurance coverage can help close treatment gaps, particularly in areas with robust provider networks. However, certain counties still lack sufficient specialists, which can hinder early detection and intervention.

State	Vision Coverage Rate	Eye Care Clinicians per 100,000
California	69.8%	22.18
Arizona	N/A	18.5
Oregon	N/A	20.1

Key Statistics Summary

• Cataracts impact over 53% of Californians aged 75 and above
• Statewide visual impairment prevalence remains at around 2.3%
• Approximately 6.59% of older adults in LA County manage glaucoma
• Insurance coverage stands at 69.8% for adult Californians

Overall, California’s diverse population experiences varying degrees of eye health risk, shaped by age, geographic location, and socioeconomic factors. Greater clinician density in urban hubs contrasts with gaps in rural areas, while older adults and certain racial communities disproportionately bear the burden of severe vision loss.