Vision health data in South Carolina reveals significant trends that shape overall population well-being. Understanding these statistics provides useful insights into how ocular conditions develop, which groups are affected the most, and where health access gaps might exist. This article examines key data points related to vision health in the state, with a clear focus on prevalence rates, disease patterns, and demographic disparities.
Over the past two decades, substantial research has tracked South Carolina’s rates of vision impairment among older adults, disparities between rural and urban counties, and the most common causes of preventable blindness. By compiling this information in one place, the aim is to provide a resource that other organizations, health professionals, and policymakers can reference and link back to when looking for the most accurate, up-to-date statistics on vision health in South Carolina.
Key Statistics at a Glance
- 7.7% of South Carolina adults aged 65 and older report vision impairment, which surpasses the national average.
- A 22% increase in age-adjusted vision loss has been recorded since 2005.
- 29% of individuals with diabetes in South Carolina develop diabetic retinopathy.
- Rural counties in the state have 3.2 times higher vision impairment rates than urban areas.
The following sections break down this information further, focusing on prevalence, disease-specific statistics, access to care, and known disparity factors. This approach highlights how certain conditions, demographics, and geographic realities intersect to influence overall vision outcomes.
Prevalence of Vision Impairment
Statistics on vision impairment in South Carolina help outline the scope of the issue statewide.
- Overall prevalence among adults aged 65+ stands at 7.7%, slightly above national figures.
- Working-age adults (18–64) show a 2.6% impairment rate, affecting more than 200,000 residents.
- Age-adjusted vision loss has climbed by 22% since 2005, surpassing the general population growth during the same period.
- South Carolina ranks 11th nationally for vision impairment among working-age adults.
Such numbers illustrate how vision loss impacts both seniors and adults in their prime working years. They also show the upward trend in overall cases, signaling a growing health challenge for the state.
| Age Group | Impairment Rate |
|---|---|
| 65–74 years | 7.0% |
| 75–79 years | 9.4% |
| 80+ years | 8.0% |
Within these age groups, an estimated 20% of individuals over 80 experience permanent vision loss, mirroring similar patterns seen nationwide.
Ocular Disease Prevalence
Data on leading ocular diseases further pinpoints what conditions drive vision loss.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Affects 29% of the estimated 574,000 people with diabetes in South Carolina, making it the top cause of working-age blindness.
- Glaucoma: Occurs at a rate of 3.1% statewide, with progression rates in Black communities four to six times higher than in other groups.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Impacts 7.2% of seniors, with a 12% rise in late-stage AMD cases since 2015.
- Cataracts: Affect 19% of adults over 40, contributing to 62% of preventable blindness cases in the state.
These major causes of impaired sight demonstrate how chronic conditions like diabetes and age-related factors drive much of the state’s preventable blindness burden. Coastal counties also see higher AMD rates, attributed in part to elevated UV exposure.
| Condition | SC Prevalence | Additional Note |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetic Retinopathy | 29% | Leading cause of blindness in working-age adults |
| Glaucoma | 3.1% | Black residents show 4–6x higher progression |
| AMD | 7.2% | Late-stage cases up 12% since 2015 |
| Cataracts | 19% | Accounts for 62% of preventable blindness |
Long wait times for cataract surgery—averaging 18 weeks in rural areas compared to 6 weeks in Columbia—also influence complications, documented at a rate of 23% statewide.
Disparities in Eye Health
Breaking down the data by region, race, and socioeconomic status reveals significant differences in who experiences vision loss and why.
- Geographically, county-level vision impairment ranges from 3.8% in Beaufort County to 22.3% in Allendale County.
- Rural counties have a 3.2 times higher rate of vision impairment than urban counties.
- African American adults have an 11.1% rate of vision impairment, compared to 7% among White adults.
- Hispanics in South Carolina experience 3.8 times higher odds of untreated refractive errors.
- For those earning under $15,000 per year, impairment can be as high as 35.5%, while those earning above $75,000 report only 5.7%.
Income and educational level play a major part in timely eye care, as individuals with higher incomes and more schooling often have better insurance access and can afford preventive services. Additionally, 63% of state residents lack specialized vision coverage, which can compound these disparities.
| Key Disparity Factor | Impact on Vision Impairment |
|---|---|
| Race (African Americans) | 11.1% impairment vs. 7% in Whites |
| Income (Under $15k) | 35.5% impairment vs. 5.7% above $75k |
| Rural vs. Urban | 3.2x higher rates in rural counties |
| Insurance Coverage | 63% lack vision-specific coverage |
Sickle cell retinopathy adds another dimension; roughly 43% of individuals in South Carolina with this disease type develop serious eye complications, affecting a significant portion of the population already at risk for vision issues.
Care Access Data
A closer look at care usage patterns shows where gaps exist and how residents seek eye health services.
- Only 48% of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes receive annual dilated exams, trailing the 54% national rate.
- Rural counties have 0.8 ophthalmologists per 10,000 residents, compared to 2.1 per 10,000 in urban centers.
- Dilation rates for eye exams are 58% in urban regions but just 34% in rural areas.
- Direct vision-related healthcare costs total $2.03 billion per year in South Carolina, with 52% of this amount borne by patients.
- 38% of people skip or delay needed eye care due to cost concerns, further increasing the risk of advanced disease.
In areas without sufficient eye care providers, residents often resort to emergency department visits for treatable conditions, accounting for 42% of rural ocular trauma cases. This not only raises healthcare costs but can also lead to delayed diagnosis and management of progressive conditions.
| Measure | South Carolina | National Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Diabetic Eye Exams | 48% | 54% |
| Cataract Surgery Rate | 5,812/million | 6,402/million |
| Glaucoma Blindness | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| Costs (Annually) | $2.03 billion | – |
Mobile clinics attempt to bridge these gaps by operating in underserved communities. Currently, three units serve 46 counties, reaching around 12,000 patients each year.
Key Statistics Summary
- South Carolina ranks 11th nationwide in working-age vision impairment at 2.6%.
- Diabetic retinopathy affects 29% of the state’s 574,000 individuals with diabetes.
- Rural residents are 3.2 times more likely to experience vision impairment than those in urban areas.
- 19% of adults over age 40 live with cataract-related vision loss, contributing to 62% of preventable blindness cases.
Across these statistics, it is clear that vision health in South Carolina is shaped by a variety of economic, demographic, and geographic factors. Chronic conditions like diabetes drive a large share of vision loss, and rural counties face heightened provider shortages. While the numbers point to rising demand for care, they also show the importance of tracking these measures over time to reduce preventable outcomes.
In this article
