Vision Statistics in Montana

Montana’s vision health landscape offers a unique window into how rural populations manage ocular conditions in a state with vast geographic distances. Over the past two decades, shifts in demographics, economic factors, and disease prevalence have contributed to new patterns of visual impairment that merit close analysis.

This article presents the most current data on vision health in Montana, consolidating prevalence statistics, disease burdens, and demographic disparities. Each section below highlights data-driven insights that underscore the need for greater awareness and robust strategies in addressing vision care across both rural and urban areas.

Key Highlights

Below are four noteworthy statistics about Montana’s vision health status.

• Prevalence of self-reported vision difficulty reached 4.42% in 2018.
• Montana’s total number of individuals with visual impairment grew by 17% from 2005 to 2018, attributed largely to an aging population.
• 20% of Montanans over the age of 85 experience permanent vision loss.
• An estimated 63% of the state’s blindness burden results from preventable or modifiable causes.

Overall Prevalence of Visual Impairment

This section provides a broad snapshot of how many Montana residents experience visual impairment and why understanding these numbers matters for resource allocation.

• The age-adjusted rate of vision difficulty was 4.42% in 2018, slightly below the national average of 4.80%.
• The prevalence of self-reported vision difficulty declined by 0.8% since 2005, but the actual number of affected individuals still rose by 17% in the same period.
• Although Montana’s visual disability rate is 12% lower than the national average, disparities remain in certain rural areas.
• 20% of individuals over 85 face permanent vision impairment, unchanged since 2010.

These figures show that while overall percentages appear stable or slightly improved, the absolute number of people with vision problems is on the rise as Montana’s population continues to age.

Demographic Disparities

Disaggregating the data by age, race, and socioeconomic status helps illustrate specific needs within Montana’s diverse population.

• Between the ages of 40 and 64, visual impairment rose by 38% since 2005, in part due to diabetes-related conditions.
• American Indian populations experience a visual impairment rate 2.1 times higher than white residents.
• Advanced diabetic retinopathy occurs 3.8 times more often among American Indians than among white populations.
• 41% of advanced ocular disease cases in Montana are found among Medicaid recipients, even though they represent only 28% of the total population.
• 18% of privately insured Montanans have postponed eye care at least once due to copay costs.

Such disparities highlight a combination of factors including socioeconomic barriers, cultural gaps in care, and geographic challenges across the state.

Ocular Disease Trends

Data on Montana’s most common ocular diseases emphasizes key conditions contributing to visual impairment throughout the state.

• Diabetes-related retinal disease hospitalizations increased by 34% since 2016, with annual emergency department costs surpassing $900,000.
• Among diabetic adults statewide, 28% skip annual dilated eye exams, a rate higher than the national average.
• Cataract extraction rates in Montana have grown by 22% since 2005, particularly due to expanded outreach programs.
• Glaucoma remains potentially underdiagnosed by up to 40% in some rural regions, as suggested by newer imaging technologies.
• Pediatric vision screenings covered 68.5% of children in 2017, lagging behind the national average of 75%.

These statistics point to both the achievements in certain surgical interventions and the ongoing need for consistent screening across all demographic groups.

Geographic Access Challenges

Montana’s vast rural landscapes significantly influence how quickly and effectively residents can receive vision care.

• The statewide optometrist-to-population ratio is 1:12,500, around 35% lower than the national standard of 1:10,000.
• At least 14 counties lack any local eye care provider, forcing lengthy travel for some residents.
• An estimated 22% of rural Montanans live over 75 miles from an eye care specialist.
• Late-stage age-related macular degeneration diagnoses occur at 3.2 times higher odds in remote communities.

Bridging these distances with improved screening programs and provider availability is often a deciding factor in preventing progressive vision loss.

Comparisons with Neighboring States

Examining how Montana measures up to its immediate neighbors can shed light on strengths and gaps in the state’s vision care landscape.

• Montana’s 4.42% vision difficulty rate sits between Wyoming (4.10%) and Idaho (4.70%).
• The state’s diabetic eye exam participation stands at 72%, higher than Wyoming’s 68% but slightly lower than the national 74% average.
• Montana’s optometrist density is 1:12,500, while Wyoming and Idaho have roughly 1:10,000 and 1:11,000, respectively.
• Medicaid coverage in Montana is 28%, surpassing the national benchmark of 21%.

These distinctions, however slight, highlight where Montana excels in coverage but also where it continues to lag in the availability of eye care professionals.

Preventable Vision Loss

Understanding how much of Montana’s vision impairment stems from treatable causes underscores the importance of screening and early intervention.

• 63% of all blindness cases in Montana can be traced to preventable or modifiable factors.
• Untreated refractive error accounts for 27% of total vision loss, suggesting gaps in routine eye exam coverage.
• Diabetes contributes an additional 18% of preventable blindness when appropriate management is lacking.
• Undiagnosed glaucoma represents 12% of avoidable visual impairment statewide.

While progress has been made in some areas, these figures emphasize that more consistent screening and care access could significantly cut long-term vision loss.

Key Statistics Summary

• 4.42% age-adjusted vision difficulty in 2018
• 22% increase in cataract extraction rates since 2005
• 68.5% pediatric vision screening coverage
• 1:12,500 optometrist-to-population ratio
• 63% of blindness linked to modifiable causes

These data points reveal a state striving to balance rural and urban needs in addressing ocular conditions. Although the prevalence of vision impairment has seen a slight relative decline, the growing number of older adults, high rates of certain diseases, and uneven provider distribution highlight the necessity of sustained, data-driven interventions to improve outcomes across Montana.