Vision Statistics in Minnesota

Vision health in Minnesota has evolved significantly over the past two decades, with statistics indicating noteworthy changes in ocular disease prevalence, care access, and demographic disparities. This article highlights the most current data on trends such as glaucoma-related blindness, pediatric retinopathy, and provider distribution, offering a concise look at the state’s overall ocular well-being.

Drawing on population-based research from Olmsted County, statewide public health measurements, and comparative data with neighboring states, these statistics underscore both progress and persistent challenges. Minnesota’s standing as a regional leader in provider availability stands alongside documented inequalities in various communities, requiring careful attention to demographic shifts and socioeconomic factors.

Key Statistics

• Glaucoma-related 20-year blindness probability has decreased by nearly 48% over multiple decades of study.
• Thyroid eye disease incidence remains around 5–6.25 cases per 100,000 person-years statewide.
• Children with type 2 diabetes face a 2.33× higher risk of proliferative retinopathy than those with type 1.
• Minnesota currently features 74 ophthalmologists per million residents, outpacing the national average of 55 per million.

These points provide a brief snapshot of how far the state has come and where gaps remain. The sections below delve deeper into each of these data areas, highlighting both historical trends and emerging health indicators.

Longitudinal Trends in Ocular Disease

Long-term data sets provide important insights into how Minnesota’s major eye conditions have evolved and where intervention efforts may be making a measurable impact.

• Over a 45-year observation period, open-angle glaucoma patients showed a decline in the 20-year blindness probability from 25.8% to 13.5%.
• Population incidence of glaucoma-related blindness within 10 years of diagnosis dropped from 8.7 per 100,000 to 5.5 per 100,000.
• Age-adjusted blindness risk remains higher in Black Minnesotans, indicating a continued disparity in glaucoma outcomes.
• Thyroid eye disease incidence has remained relatively stable at 5–6.25 cases per 100,000 person-years, with a pronounced female-to-male ratio.
• TED prevalence measurements reach 114.5 per 100,000 women, contrasted against 13.8 per 100,000 men.
• Pediatric type 2 diabetes is associated with a 4.06× higher vitrectomy need when compared to pediatric type 1 cases.

These numbers illustrate Minnesota’s broad progress in reducing blindness from common ocular diseases, while simultaneously highlighting certain demographic challenges.

Geospatial and Socioeconomic Factors

Across Minnesota, provider availability and social determinants of health strongly influence who can access eye care and how quickly they receive it.

• Statewide density of ophthalmologists is 74 per million, exceeding the national average of 55 per million.
• Provider distribution correlates with educational attainment, rising 4.4% per 1% increase in bachelor's degree rates.
• Unemployment rates show a –2.7% impact on provider presence per 1% jobless rate rise.
• Approximately 21,560 of 30,698 ZIP codes nationwide lack any eye care provider, reflecting a broader national trend.
• About 95% of Minnesotans reside within 30 minutes of an ophthalmologist, but rural regions still experience delays.
• Native communities account for 7,521 children lacking preventive eye care access in parts of Greater Minnesota.

These socioeconomic variables significantly shape patient access, with greater provider supply in areas of higher education and persistent care gaps in rural and underserved communities.

Demographic Shifts and Disparities

Changing population dynamics across Minnesota reveal evolving patterns of vision health needs, particularly in growing communities of color and households facing language barriers.

• Communities of Color in Minnesota grew by 32% between 2010 and 2019, increasing demand for culturally competent care.
• Roughly 32% of individuals under age 18 identify as non-White in the state.
• Households requiring Somali or Hmong translation represent 14.7% of Minnesota families.
• Diabetic retinopathy prevalence reaches 32.6% at a 15-year diabetes duration, disproportionately affecting specific ethnic groups.
• Insurance coverage type continues to shape screening rates, with Medicaid enrollees receiving 23% fewer glaucoma screenings than those with private insurance.
• Optical coherence tomography usage is 18% higher among privately insured patients, suggesting unequal technology access.

Disparities in both insurance coverage and language support underscore the need for targeted solutions that address Minnesota’s increasingly diverse population.

Comparisons with Neighboring States

Regional comparisons place Minnesota’s eye care performance into a broader Midwest perspective, revealing how its higher provider density and shorter wait times contrast with neighboring regions.

• Minnesota’s 74 ophthalmologists per million surpass Wisconsin’s 61 and Iowa’s 53.
• Average cataract surgery wait times in rural Minnesota are 34.2 days, lower than North Dakota’s statewide average of 42.5 days.
• Minnesota’s diabetic retinopathy screening compliance stands at 68%, compared to South Dakota’s 54%.
• The national average for diabetic retinopathy screening is about 63%, placing Minnesota above the norm.

These figures demonstrate that Minnesota often outperforms its neighbors in several key measures, though regional differences persist, especially in rural regions with lower educational attainment or limited specialist coverage.

Key Statistics Summary

• Glaucoma-related blindness probability fell nearly 50% in long-term tracking studies.
• Native children lacking preventive eye care exceed 7,500 in certain rural regions of the state.
• Thyroid eye disease shows a stable incidence of about 5–6.25 cases per 100,000 person-years.
• Only 68% of diabetic Minnesotans receive annual retinopathy screening, yet this still outperforms the 63% national average.

Overall, Minnesota’s vision health data highlights both systemic gains and ongoing disparities. The combination of strong provider density, improvements in early detection of eye disease, and noted challenges in rural and minority populations provides a data-driven snapshot of the state’s evolving landscape.