Vision Statistics in Georgia

Georgia’s vision care landscape has evolved significantly over two decades, with shifting demographics and increased chronic disease prevalence influencing rates of vision impairment. The data below examines the magnitude of visual health challenges, highlighting key statistics on eye conditions, demographics, and access to care.

From population growth in older age groups to disparities in rural access and racial inequities, understanding these metrics provides a comprehensive snapshot of Georgia’s vision health. The following sections focus on clear, data-driven insights into vision care needs, aiming to offer valuable reference points for health professionals, policymakers, and the public.

Key Statistics Snapshot

Here are four key data points that illustrate Georgia’s current vision health landscape:

• The state’s elderly population (65+) grew by 26% between 2010 and 2020, reaching 1.32 million.
• 16% of older Georgians reported moderate-to-severe vision loss in a recent survey period.
• By 2050, projections estimate over 226,000 visually impaired Georgians, including nearly 100,000 cases of blindness.
• Over 23% of rural counties in Georgia lack any ophthalmology providers.

These highlights show the breadth of Georgia’s vision care issues, including both the scale of at-risk populations and geographic gaps in services. The following sections present additional data across several domains of eye health.

Prevalence and Demographic Changes

This section covers how demographic factors, particularly an aging population, influence Georgia’s rising rates of vision impairment.

• Georgia’s population aged 65+ has grown by 26% in the last decade, surpassing 1.32 million people.
• 6.7% of Georgians aged 65+ have visual impairment, exceeding the 6.2% national average.
• Projections indicate a 319% increase in vision loss by 2050 among older adults, climbing to 226,000 total cases of visual impairment.
• Near the same time frame, cases of blindness could reach 100,000 statewide, especially concentrated among those aged 80+.

These demographic shifts underscore the high stakes for Georgia’s healthcare system as the elderly population expands. Below is a table showing how Georgia compares to neighboring states and the national average in older adult vision loss.

Metric	Georgia	Alabama	Tennessee	National Avg
Vision Loss (65+)	16%	12.1%	5.4%	10.3%

Major Eye Diseases: Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

Cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remain two primary causes of vision loss in Georgia’s older adult population.

• Cataract prevalence among adults aged 40+ in Georgia reached 1.7 million in 2020.
• By 2050, cataract cases could double, driven largely by an aging demographic.
• AMD affects 7.6% of non-Hispanic White Georgians, compared to 5.2% nationally.
• Elevated AMD rates may stem from genetic factors and increased UV exposure in the region.

These conditions can seriously hamper quality of life if left unaddressed. The following table shows current and projected cases of common age-related conditions among adults over 40 in Georgia.

Condition	2020 Cases	2050 Projection
Cataracts (40+)	1.7 million	Double current levels
AMD (Non-Hispanic White Only)	7.6% prevalence	N/A (trend shows higher than 5.2% nat’l)

Diabetic Retinopathy Data

Georgia’s high diabetes prevalence drives extensive rates of diabetic retinopathy and related complications.

• The state’s adult diabetes prevalence stands at 11.5%, exceeding the 10.5% national level.
• An estimated 117,000 Georgians currently have diabetic retinopathy, which could rise by 150% by 2040.
• Only 48.2% of Medicare-enrolled diabetic Georgians receive annual eye exams, below the 54.1% national average.
• Lack of consistent screening can lead to preventable progression of diabetic eye disease.

Timely interventions and consistent screenings are crucial for managing diabetic retinopathy. Below is a comparative overview of diabetic eye exam rates in Georgia and nearby regions.

Metric	Georgia	Alabama	Tennessee	National Avg
Diabetic Eye Exams	48.2%	51.6%	53.1%	54.1%

Glaucoma Prevalence

Glaucoma disproportionately affects certain demographics in Georgia, with potentially severe long-term consequences.

• Prevalence among Black Georgians is 8.6%, nearly doubling the 4.7% rate seen in White populations.
• Statewide glaucoma cases are projected to exceed 250,000 by 2050.
• Delayed diagnosis is common in underserved areas, contributing to higher late-stage presentation.

Many factors, including genetic susceptibility and access to routine care, influence these numbers. This table demonstrates how glaucoma prevalence compares to other leading eye diseases.

Disease	Estimated Prevalence	Key High-Risk Group
Glaucoma	8.6% in Black Georgians	Black adults, older populations
Diabetic Retinopathy	117,000 current cases	Individuals with diabetes
AMD	7.6% in White Georgians	Older White adults

Access and Infrastructure Challenges

In addition to disease burdens, healthcare infrastructure and geographic disparities strongly influence vision outcomes.

• 97% of Georgia’s VA outpatient clinics provide eye care services onsite or through external programs.
• However, 23% of rural counties lack any permanent ophthalmology providers.
• Harris County (population 32,024) has 0 permanent eye care professionals.
• Telemedicine for online vision prescriptions remains restricted in Georgia, affecting 1.2 million rural residents.
• Florida’s tele-ophthalmology efforts reduced diabetic retinopathy screening delays by 40%, highlighting missed opportunities in Georgia.

Provider shortages exacerbate these access issues. The table below offers a snapshot of how Georgia’s ophthalmologist supply compares regionally.

Metric	Georgia	Alabama	Tennessee	National Avg
Ophthalmologists per 100k	8.3	7.9	9.2	11.4
Telemedicine Adoption	Restricted	Allowed	Allowed	38 states allow

Demographic and Economic Disparities

Social determinants and income-level factors further widen the gap in vision health across Georgia.

• Non-Hispanic Black Georgians report a 16.2% vision loss rate, compared to 11.4% among White populations.
• Average travel times to eye care providers are 34% longer in majority-Black zip codes.
• Black patients have a 40% lower likelihood of receiving anti-VEGF injections for diabetic retinopathy than White patients.
• Households earning under $35,000 annually face 2.9× higher odds of untreated vision impairment.
• Medicaid reimbursement rates for eye exams have remained at 2008 levels, limiting provider participation.

These financial and geographic factors converge, creating urgent needs among the most vulnerable populations. The table below compares selected data points on inequality in Georgia’s vision care.

Group	Vision Loss Rate	Key Barrier
Black Georgians	16.2%	34% longer travel times
Low-Income Households	Higher risk overall	2.9× higher likelihood of untreated impairment

Key Statistics Summary

• 1.32 million Georgians are now 65+, reflecting a significant growth rate in older demographics.
• An estimated 16% of older adults in Georgia report moderate-to-severe vision loss, higher than in nearby states.
• Among Georgians with diabetes, just 48.2% receive critical annual eye exams.
• Black Georgians face nearly double the glaucoma burden compared to White populations.
• Over 23% of the state’s rural counties have no ophthalmology providers, limiting access for tens of thousands of residents.

The data shows a pressing need for consistent eye care services, especially for at-risk groups, to manage and reduce preventable vision loss. Georgia’s rising elderly population, high diabetes prevalence, and shortage of providers point to sustained challenges in eye health management.