Connecticut’s vision health profile in 2025 highlights a variety of data points on eye disease prevalence, age-related concerns, and disparities in access to care. This article presents a concise, data-driven look at key trends, hospitalizations, and demographic insights surrounding vision health in the state.
From comparative analyses with neighboring states to specific statistics on conditions like glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, the following information offers a broad numerical overview. Readers can expect a streamlined collection of data, presented in tables, bullet points, and succinct contextual paragraphs, showcasing both the overall status and specific segments of Connecticut’s population in 2025.
Key Noteworthy Statistics
Below are several immediate highlights reflecting Connecticut’s vision health in 2025:
- The state reports a 1.3% prevalence of vision loss (20/40 or worse), ranking among the lowest nationwide.
- Hospitalizations for eye diseases have risen 73.8% nationwide between 1999 and 2019.
- Approximately 17.2% of Connecticut’s population is aged 65 and older, highlighting age-related eye disease risk.
- In rural communities, optometrist availability is 1 per 10,000 residents, compared to 4 per 10,000 in urban counties.
These figures contextualize the state’s overall advantages in lower prevalence levels while emphasizing the need to better understand eye health trends across various demographic groups. The sections below explore additional statistics on prevalence rates, demographic patterns, and access challenges in greater detail.
Prevalence and Trends
Statewide prevalence rates indicate that Connecticut consistently reports lower levels of vision impairment than many neighboring areas. Data points here shed light on the magnitude of conditions such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
- Connecticut’s crude prevalence of visual acuity loss (20/40 or worse) in 2025 is 1.3%, compared to the national average of 2.7%.
- Cataract prevalence among adults aged 75 and older stands at 45%.
- Glaucoma prevalence (primary open-angle) among residents aged 65 and above is 3.8%, slightly below the national figure of 4.2%.
- Diabetic retinopathy affects roughly 23,000 Connecticut residents in 2025.
- Annual retinal exam rates remain at 55% for diabetic patients in the state, below Massachusetts (63%) but slightly above New York (58%).
These prevalence figures reflect ongoing medical and public health efforts, yet certain conditions continue to outpace optimal screening or intervention rates. Connecticut's consistent aging trend is a key consideration for eye disease risk and hospital admissions.
| Condition | Prevalence in CT (2025) | Key Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Acuity Loss (≥20/40) | 1.3% | 65+ |
| Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma | 3.8% (65+) | ≥65 |
| Cataracts (≥75) | 45% | 75+ |
| Diabetic Retinopathy | 23,000 residents | Working-age adults |
These numbers underscore the value of widespread screening programs and advanced surgical treatments, particularly among older adults. They also highlight at-risk groups needing regular monitoring.
Demographic Breakdown
Different populations within Connecticut show varying levels of risk for eye conditions. Income, race, and geographic location all factor into screening uptake and overall vision outcomes.
- Among residents over age 85, 20% experience permanent vision loss.
- Glaucoma rates are 2.5× higher in Black populations than in White populations.
- Severity of diabetic retinopathy is 40% higher among Hispanic residents.
- Within low-income Black and Hispanic children, vision exam utilization is 30% lower than expected despite Medicaid eligibility.
- Connecticut’s Hispanic population is 17.3% and non-Hispanic Black population is 11.9%, indicating a sizable demographic requiring targeted outreach.
These disparities often connect to structural barriers, including insurance coverage, transportation challenges, and reduced access to vision screenings in some communities.
| Demographic | Key Statistics |
|---|---|
| Black Residents | 2.5× higher glaucoma prevalence |
| Hispanic Residents | 40% higher DR severity |
| Low-Income Adults | 22% skip exams due to cost |
| Hispanic Residents | 30% lack vision insurance (vs. 12% White) |
Where resources are concentrated—particularly in urban centers—screening and treatment rates improve. However, rural and low-income locations continue to see gaps in preventive eye care.
Hospitalization Rates and Access to Care
Vision-related hospital admissions and care availability reflect both the progression of eye diseases and the efficiency of interventions. The state maintains lower admission rates than the national average, but consistent increases emphasize ongoing concerns.
- Hospitalizations for eye diseases have climbed 73.8% nationwide from 1999 to 2019.
- Connecticut’s eye disease admissions are 13.00 per 1,000, below the U.S. average of 15.2.
- Rural Litchfield County records 1 optometrist per 10,000 residents, compared to 4 per 10,000 in Fairfield County.
- Post-operative cataract surgery success rates reach 96.7% for Hartford Hospital Eye Surgery Center patients achieving 20/40 or better.
- Cataract surgery volumes at Hartford Hospital have increased 18% between 2015 and 2020.
These statistics demonstrate the interplay between growing demand, improving surgical outcomes, and continued challenges of reaching underserved populations. The following table shows a brief comparison of hospitalization rates across selected states.
| State | Hospital Admissions per 1,000 (2019) |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | 13.00 |
| Rhode Island | 14.20 |
| New Jersey | 16.10 |
| U.S. Average | 15.20 |
These comparative hospitalization rates emphasize that while Connecticut performs better than neighboring areas, the upward trend in procedures and admissions points to a large-scale need for consistent eye care services across demographic lines.
Comparative State Statistics
Connecticut’s performance in mitigating vision impairment is clearer when viewed alongside nearby states and national benchmarks. These figures track both overall vision loss and blindness prevalence through 2025.
| State | Vision Loss Prevalence (2025) | Blindness Prevalence (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 1.3% | 0.4% |
| Massachusetts | 1.6% | 0.5% |
| New York | 2.1% | 0.7% |
| National Avg | 2.7% | 0.9% |
The data points highlight the benefit of proactive screening and a higher median income, each contributing to improved outcomes. Nonetheless, the disparities outlined earlier affect the consistency of those benefits across all communities.
Youth Screening Insights
Childhood vision screening offers an important gauge of preventive health measures. Programs aimed at reducing uncorrected refractive error underscore the value of addressing eye conditions early.
- A school-based initiative screened 199 students in East Hartford, distributing 53 free glasses.
- Uncorrected refractive errors dropped by 85% in participating schools.
- More than 40,000 children remain underserved statewide, reflecting large unmet needs.
- Overall, low-income Black and Hispanic children underutilize standard Medicaid coverage by 30%.
Early identification and correction of vision issues can significantly affect educational performance and long-term outcomes for children across the state.
Key Statistics Summary
- 1.3% statewide prevalence of vision loss in Connecticut as of 2025
- 73.8% national increase in eye disease hospitalizations from 1999–2019
- Up to 20% of residents over 85 face permanent vision impairment
- Diabetic retinopathy affects around 23,000 state residents in 2025
- Connecticut’s hospital admission rate for eye diseases (13.00 per 1,000) remains below the U.S. average
These core metrics illustrate how Connecticut’s focused screening initiatives, robust surgical outcomes, and relatively high insurance coverage have contributed to its strong performance. Significant gaps remain among rural, low-income, and minority populations, demonstrating ongoing demand for accessible vision services in every area of the state.
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