Vision Statistics in Hawaii

Hawaii’s latest data on vision health showcases a state leading in key preventive measures while facing unique challenges related to demographics and rural access. Over time, shifts in insurance coverage, healthcare policy, and population needs have shaped vision impairment prevalence and care availability for Hawaiian residents. This article compiles the most current statistics on vision impairment, risk factors, and care distribution for a data-driven look at Hawaii’s progress in 2025.

From striking changes in vision difficulty rates over two decades to notable success in pediatric coverage, Hawaii’s statistics reveal significant gains in eye health. Yet, in examining the numbers, it is also clear that certain groups—including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders—shoulder a larger share of the burden due to high diabetes rates, limited specialist access, and economic barriers.

Key Initial Statistics

Below are several key numbers that illustrate Hawaii’s vision health landscape:

• 4,966 residents per optometrist in Hawaii, ranking second-best nationwide
• 2× higher blindness rates among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders compared to the national average
• Self-reported adult vision difficulties ranged between 21,670 (2009) and 26,597 (2017)
• 81% pediatric vision insurance coverage versus a 75% national average

These figures provide a snapshot of the current situation. Below, each aspect of Hawaii’s vision health data will be explored in more detail, focusing on prevalence trends, demographic patterns, risk factors, and care accessibility.

Overall Prevalence Trends

Tracking the number of individuals with vision impairments helps illuminate how economic and policy factors influence population health.

• Between 2009 and 2014, reported vision difficulty rose from 21,670 to 24,142, an increase of 11.4%
• From 2015 to 2019, counts fluctuated between 21,952 and 25,381, reflecting a more stable phase
• Hawaii ranked first in eye health metrics nationally by 2024, supported by broad insurance coverage
• Blindness rates among all groups in Hawaii remain lower than many states, yet still exhibit certain hotspots

A closer look at the numbers shows varying trends through economic changes, healthcare expansions, and shifts in screening efforts. Below is a table summarizing select years of self-reported vision difficulties among adults aged 18+.

Year	Reported Difficulty
2009	21,670
2014	24,142
2017	26,597
2019	25,381

Overall, these figures highlight a population that continues to benefit from improved coverage but remains sensitive to policy shifts and demographic changes.

Age and Demographic Disparities

Breaking down vision impairment statistics by age and specific populations shows disproportionate burdens within certain groups.

• In 2018, vision difficulty rose from 2.53% among those aged 18–39 to 5.26% among those 65+
• By 2030, 28% of Hawaii’s population is projected to be 65+, impacting overall vision care needs
• Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders face a 0.72% blindness prevalence, compared to 0.35% nationally
• Poverty and unemployment in NHPI communities raise the risk of vision impairment by 2.03×

These figures underline how aging trends and socio-economic conditions drive discrepancies in vision outcomes. The next table highlights select demographic data, underscoring the variation among age groups and the NHPI population.

Group	Vision Difficulty Rate
Ages 18–39	2.53%
Ages 65+	5.26%
Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders (Blindness)	0.72%
National Average (Blindness)	0.35%

The most apparent gap is the consistently higher prevalence among older adults, coupled with a stark divide for NHPI communities.

Key Risk Factors

Multiple health and lifestyle factors raise the likelihood of vision impairment, and Hawaii’s data pinpoints several critical contributors.

• Diabetes increases the risk of vision issues by 2.1×, with 8.27% of diabetic Hawaiians reporting difficulty versus 3.99% statewide
• Smoking prevalence at 12.8% drives 5.7% of vision issues in the state
• Among senior citizens, 38% of vision loss is due to cataracts
• Glaucoma prevalence grew by 17% among NHPIs from 2010 to 2020

Chronic diseases and lifestyle habits act as overlapping triggers for vision decline. The table below compares a few of the top conditions leading to eye disease in Hawaii.

Condition	Proportion of Vision Loss
Cataracts (Seniors)	38%
Diabetic Retinopathy (All Diabetics)	29%
Glaucoma (NHPIs, 2010–2020 increase)	+17%
Smoking-Related (Statewide)	5.7%

Heightened awareness of such risk factors plays a crucial role in reducing the number of severe, preventable cases of vision impairment.

Access to Vision Care

Distribution of eye care providers and insurance coverage levels are decisive elements in preventing vision difficulties from progressing.

• Hawaii has 4,966 residents per optometrist—second-best nationally
• Urban Oahu enjoys 1 provider per 3,800 residents, versus 1 per 8,200 in rural Hawaii County
• 19% of low-income adults forgo needed vision care due to cost and travel barriers
• Pediatric vision screening coverage stands at 81%, surpassing the 75% average nationwide

While Hawaii’s overall coverage ranks highly, rural communities and lower-income households face more significant hurdles. The following table outlines notable access metrics.

Metric	Value
Optometrist-to-Resident Ratio (Statewide)	1 : 4,966
Optometrist-to-Resident Ratio (Urban Oahu)	1 : 3,800
Optometrist-to-Resident Ratio (Rural Hawaii County)	1 : 8,200
Low-Income Adults Forgoing Care	19%
Children with Vision Insurance	81%

This data underscores the importance of provider distribution and the continuing need to address financial and geographic barriers.

Hawaii’s Ranking and Regional Comparisons

Evaluating Hawaii’s performance alongside neighboring states and national benchmarks offers perspective on both successes and shortfalls.

• Hawaii ranks 1st in the U.S. for eye health metrics, bolstered by low smoking rates and preventive screenings
• Compared to California, which has 1 optometrist per 4,200 residents, Hawaii’s overall ratio is slightly lower in provider availability
• Oregon reports a 23% lower diabetic retinopathy rate, attributed to earlier HbA1c monitoring
• Senior vision loss in Hawaii is 5.26%, exceeding the national average of 4.1%

In pediatrics and overall coverage, Hawaii outperforms many states, but challenges remain in terms of higher senior vision impairment and significant NHPI disparities. The table below shows a comparative snapshot.

State/Region	Key Statistic	Comparison to Hawaii
California	Optometrist Ratio: 1 : 4,200	Better local access, lower pediatric coverage
Oregon	Diabetic Retinopathy Rate: -23%	Fewer diabetes-related issues
Hawaii	Senior Vision Loss: 5.26%	Above national average

These numbers highlight how Hawaii continues to excel in some areas yet lags in mitigating certain chronic conditions among seniors and high-risk groups.

Key Statistics Summary

• 11.4% increase in reported vision difficulty between 2009 and 2014
• NHPI blindness prevalence of 0.72% versus 0.35% nationally
• 38% of senior vision loss attributed to cataracts
• 81% pediatric vision insurance coverage in Hawaii
• Senior vision impairment at 5.26%, exceeding the 4.1% national rate

Hawaii’s robust eye health framework has delivered strong outcomes, underscored by elevated pediatric coverage and a high optometrist ratio. Nonetheless, persistent rural access challenges, high rates of age-related conditions, and disproportionate NHPI impacts underline the ongoing need for equitable care distribution and risk factor management.