Vision Statistics in Delaware

Delaware’s eye health profile presents a complex landscape of shifting demographics, varying disease prevalence, and access challenges. This article compiles recent data and trends on vision impairment, screening rates, and demographic patterns for readers seeking detailed, citable Delaware vision statistics.

Across multiple regions and subpopulations, Delaware data indicates notable disparities in vision health that distinguish it from national norms. By examining prevalence, demographics, and care availability, we can better understand the scope of these challenges.

Key Facts at a Glance

Below are several highlights that illustrate the breadth of Delaware’s vision trends:

• 19.4% of Delaware’s population is age 65 or older in 2024, up from 14.4% in 2010.
• 47.4% of nursing home residents in Delaware experience moderate-to-severe vision impairment.
• Approximately 67% of the state’s ophthalmologists are concentrated in New Castle County.
• Statewide, only 60% of diabetic patients receive recommended annual eye exams.

These numbers highlight core themes of aging populations, varied ophthalmic care distribution, and consistent gaps in preventive screenings. Below is a deeper analysis of the relevant statistics.

Population Demographics and Vision Loss

Understanding Delaware’s demographic shifts is critical to interpreting its vision health challenges.

• Delaware’s overall 65+ population grew by nearly 35% from 2010 to 2024.
• Among older adults (65+), the rate of vision loss increased by 15% over two decades.
• In 2017, there were 7.05 million affected cases of vision loss statewide, closely mirroring national prevalence percentages.
• 66.24% of Delaware nursing home residents are age 80 or older, a group especially prone to age-related eye diseases.

As these figures show, the aging trend is one of the most defining drivers behind Delaware’s rising vision impairment totals. Below is a table summarizing population growth for seniors alongside corresponding vision impairment data.

As the older adult segment continues to expand, Delaware's overall vision health profile remains closely tied to the needs of its senior population.

Age-Related Eye Diseases

In Delaware, conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy significantly affect older adults.

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is particularly high in Sussex County at 18.3%, compared to 6.2% in Wilmington.
• Nationwide, 19.8 million Americans over 40 have AMD; Delaware’s figures reflect a similar pattern when age-standardized.
• Delaware’s diabetic retinopathy screening rates remain at 60%, despite a diabetes prevalence of 11.5% statewide.
• Advanced cataract surgery methods have reduced surgical complications by 40% at select centers, though rural implementation lags.

These age-related conditions drive many hospital and clinic visits. The following table offers a quick comparison of AMD rates in key Delaware regions.

Variations in disease rates often reflect differences in access to specialized care, screening, and population age structures.

Screening and Access to Care

Delaware’s eye care capacity, screening coverage, and specialist distribution play a central role in statewide vision outcomes.

• Approximately 67% of Delaware’s ophthalmologists are located in New Castle County, creating travel burdens for rural communities.
• Screening compliance for diabetic retinopathy statewide remains at 60%.
• Only 45.7% of children with autism spectrum disorder in the Delaware Valley receive recommended vision screenings.
• Economic factors affect uptake of corrective lenses by as much as 40% in low-income student populations.

In the table below, the percentage of annual exam completions highlights some of the disparities seen across the state’s diverse regions.

While certain urban centers pilot new screening technologies, these programs have yet to broadly close the rural-urban gap in eye health services.

Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Data

Vision impairment rates in nursing homes illustrate one of the most challenging aspects of Delaware’s eye health landscape.

• 47.4% of Delaware’s nursing home residents have moderate-to-severe vision impairment, versus 17.26% nationally.
• Among these residents, 64.1% are female, reflecting nationwide trends of longer female life expectancy.
• Residents aged 80+ are especially vulnerable, due to a 15% five-year incidence of visual impairment reported in similar age brackets.
• Facilities in Kent and Sussex counties show higher-than-average age-related eye disease levels linked to limited specialist coverage.

Higher prevalence in institutionalized populations underscores the need for accessible eye care services in long-term care settings. The table below compares Delaware’s nursing home rates to national figures.

Nursing home data remains a focal point for broader efforts to understand and address persistent gaps in vision care.

Disparities by Race and Socioeconomic Factors

Racial and income-level disparities appear consistently across multiple vision health indicators in Delaware.

• Black Delawareans experience vision loss at 1.8 times the rate of White residents.
• Blindness prevalence is 1.5 times higher among Black populations (169,540 vs. 745,342 cases per million people) nationally.
• 27% of Delaware public school students are from low-income households, where vision intervention rates are often lowest.
• Eye care workforce shortages persist, at 8.2 ophthalmologists per 100,000 residents versus 12.1 in neighboring Maryland.

Within these demographics, rural communities also face fewer specialists and longer travel times. Below is a quick comparison of regional eye care resources.

As these figures demonstrate, socioeconomic and geographic contexts can have a direct influence on individuals’ ability to obtain timely and effective eye care services.

Key Statistics Summary

• Delaware’s 65+ population grew from 14.4% in 2010 to 19.4% in 2024.
• Sussex County reports the state’s highest AMD prevalence at 18.3%.
• Nursing home residents experience a 47.4% moderate-to-severe VI rate.
• Black residents endure a vision loss rate 1.8 times that of White residents.
• Only 60% of Delawareans with diabetes receive annual eye exams.

Overall, Delaware exhibits pronounced variability in vision health data, reflecting both advanced diagnostic improvements and persistent gaps in service distribution. Although statewide rates track closely with some national figures, local differences in specialist availability, screening adherence, and demographic risk factors shape the state’s unique landscape.