Vision Statistics in Colorado

Colorado’s vision care landscape presents a wealth of data spanning prevalence rates, ocular diseases, demographic disparities, and access to eye care services. The information below highlights key statistics from various reports and studies, offering a clear, data-driven view of vision health trends across the state.

Over the past two decades, researchers have documented changes in rates of vision impairment, blindness, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and pediatric vision conditions. These findings have also revealed how geographic factors and socioeconomic status can influence care access and outcomes. The goal of this article is to present these statistics in an organized manner, allowing readers to quickly see the scope and scale of Colorado’s vision health situation.

Key Findings at a Glance

• Colorado’s adult vision impairment prevalence measured 2.91% in 2018
• Older adults aged 65+ had a 4.68% rate of vision difficulty
• Nearly 38% of low vision patients in Colorado experience dry eye syndrome
• Rural counties average only 3.2 optometrists per 100,000 residents

These statistics shed light on diverse aspects of visual health, illustrating both the scope of vision conditions and the disparities impacting care. Below are more in-depth sections that expand on prevalence, disease-specific data, access to services, and demographic factors.

Prevalence of Vision Impairment and Blindness

Quantifying the number of individuals who experience vision impairment or blindness helps illustrate the broader vision care needs across Colorado.

• 2.91% of Colorado adults reported blindness or significant vision difficulty in 2018
• The national average was slightly higher at 3.03% during the same period
• Coloradans aged 65 and older recorded a 4.68% vision difficulty rate
• Adults aged 18–39, by comparison, had a 1.75% rate of vision difficulties
• The prevalence of uncorrectable visual acuity loss (20/40 or worse) increased by 38% between 2005 and 2017

These figures indicate an overall lower rate of vision impairment relative to national data, but there remains a notable rise in visual acuity loss correlated with an aging population. Below is a table summarizing adult vision difficulty rates by age group.

Ocular Disease Statistics

Examining specific ocular conditions highlights the distribution of diseases that contribute to vision loss and the unique factors affecting progression in Colorado.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

• An estimated 12.6% of Colorado adults over 40 are living with AMD
• Prevalence rises dramatically from 2% in the 40–44 age group to 46.6% in those aged 85 and older
• Exposure to higher ultraviolet radiation at altitude can increase AMD progression by 17–23%

AMD’s strong correlation with age suggests that effective screening and management of this disease is crucial for Colorado’s older adult population, particularly given the impact of high-elevation UV exposure.

Diabetic Retinopathy

• The diabetes prevalence in Colorado rose by 41% between 2000 and 2020
• This increase parallels a 33% rise in diabetic retinopathy cases
• Vision difficulties are reported by 8.24% of Coloradans living with diabetes
• This rate is 283% higher than among non-diabetics in the state

Diabetic retinopathy remains a key driver of vision challenges for working-age adults, underscoring the importance of frequent eye exams among people with diabetes.

Pediatric Vision Health

• An estimated 2,385 children under five in Colorado experienced vision difficulties in 2019
• Amblyopia and congenital cataracts accounted for 68% of these cases
• Early intervention rates increased by 22% after 2014 Medicaid reimbursement reforms

With enhanced reimbursement encouraging broader pediatric optometric participation, more young children benefited from early detection and treatment of common vision issues.

Healthcare Access and Service Utilization

Access to eye care services in Colorado varies widely across communities, influenced by geography, technological innovations, and insurance coverage.

• 98% of Coloradans live within a 60-minute drive of an eye care provider
• Urban counties average 14.7 optometrists per 100,000 residents
• Rural counties average 3.2 optometrists per 100,000 residents
• A Medicaid reimbursement rate increase from $26 to $58 for comprehensive exams led to a 37% growth in rural provider participation
• Medicaid vision claims in frontier counties jumped by 212% after the fee adjustment

Meanwhile, assistive technologies are expanding access for individuals with blindness or low vision throughout the state. Free real-time navigation services in public spaces illustrate innovative efforts to reduce barriers, but the cost of care remains a concern. Below is a comparison of service availability in urban and rural regions.

Demographic Disparities

Statistics on socioeconomic factors, gender, and race/ethnicity highlight how certain groups face disproportionately higher risks for preventable vision loss and delayed care.

• Females in Colorado see 34% higher rates of vision loss than males
• Women report 42.47% prevalence of dry eye syndrome, compared to 31.59% among men
• Hispanic residents have a 28% higher risk of AMD
• Black Coloradans experience 19% higher glaucoma prevalence
• Low-income populations have 41% lower likelihood of receiving refractive error correction
• The uninsured population in Colorado has a 3.2x greater risk of preventable vision loss

Socioeconomic challenges such as high out-of-pocket costs also intersect with insurance coverage gaps to elevate the risk of avoidable visual impairment for lower-income groups.

Regional Comparisons

Comparisons with neighboring states emphasize how geography, diabetes prevalence, and demographic profiles influence vision health rates in the region.

• Colorado’s 2.91% overall vision loss rate is lower than Wyoming’s 3.12% and New Mexico’s 3.45%
• Utah’s vision loss prevalence is 1.98%, significantly below both Colorado and the national average
• Colorado’s AMD prevalence of 12.6% in adults over 40 exceeds Utah’s 9.8%
• In diabetic retinopathy, Colorado aligns closely with the national average at about 8%

Below is a table summarizing major vision loss statistics in several western states, illustrating the varied conditions that impact each region’s eye health strategies.

Key Statistics Summary

• 2.91% of Colorado adults experience significant vision impairment
• 38% of low vision patients in the state have dry eye syndrome
• Medicaid reimbursement reforms increased rural optometry participation by 37%
• AMD prevalence climbs to 46.6% among Coloradans aged 85+
• Pediatric early intervention for vision issues rose by 22% after 2014 policy changes

From age-related macular degeneration to pediatric vision health, Colorado’s ocular health profile reveals diverse trends and disparities. Growing diabetes prevalence, geographic challenges, and socioeconomic barriers all contribute to regional differences in vision outcomes. Data on access rates, disease progression, and specific conditions show that targeted efforts continue to shape the trajectory of eye health throughout Colorado.