Vision Statistics in Utah

Utah’s vision health landscape showcases unique trends in eye disease prevalence, demographic influences, and geographic variations. Examining these statistics provides insight into how factors such as population growth, rural access, and racial disparities shape overall eye health outcomes in the state.

Over the past two decades, Utah’s population changes and socioeconomic profiles have contributed to evolving vision care needs. From lower-than-average glaucoma rates to notable screening gaps among certain groups, these data-driven insights reveal both progress and persistent disparities. The sections below explore key figures illustrating Utah’s vision health status.

Key Statistical Highlights

• Utah’s population grew by 954,000 new residents since 2000, with 24% now identifying as racial/ethnic minorities.
• 1.11% age-adjusted glaucoma prevalence in Utah, the lowest rate in the nation.
• Rural counties like San Juan report vision difficulty rates of 13.5–25.4%, compared to 5.4–9.8% in urban centers.
• Utah blindness rates are 30% below the national average, with 65,000 residents experiencing vision loss.

The following sections provide a deeper look at these and other figures, highlighting demographic shifts, major eye diseases, and access challenges. Each data point offers a clearer understanding of vision health outcomes in Utah compared to neighboring states and nationwide.

Population and Demographics

Utah’s population shifts provide critical context for analyzing eye health.

• Since 2000, the state’s population has expanded by 954,000 residents, reflecting sustained growth in both urban and rural areas.
• 24% of Utah’s population now identifies as racial/ethnic minorities, marking a steady increase over six decades.
• 20% of adults over age 85 in Utah experience permanent vision loss, aligning with national data on age-related eye conditions.
• Younger populations are also affected nationwide: over 1.6 million Americans under 40 live with vision loss, highlighting the importance of early screenings.

These demographic factors point to a diverse population with varying risk profiles for vision impairment. Age plays a particularly significant role, as older Utahns face increased risk of blindness and other conditions.

Population Metric	Utah Data
Total Growth Since 2000	954,000 New Residents
Minority Population	24%
85+ with Permanent Vision Loss	20%

As this table illustrates, ongoing expansion and an aging demographic drive the need for accessible, high-quality eye care statewide.

Major Eye Disease Prevalence

Understanding core prevalence rates sheds light on the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in Utah.

• 1.11% age-adjusted glaucoma prevalence in Utah marks the lowest rate in the country.
• Nationally, 1.49 million Americans are affected by vision-impairing glaucoma, but Utah’s proactive screening may help keep local rates relatively low.
• Diabetic retinopathy remains the top priority for outreach efforts in Utah, particularly in regions like the Navajo Nation, where screening coverage has lagged.
• 43.3 million people worldwide are estimated to be blind, with 866 million facing uncorrected presbyopia, highlighting the global scope of eye health.

Glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) remain closely monitored. While Utah’s younger demographics influence overall lower prevalence rates, officials continue tracking age-related conditions as the population ages.

Disease	Notable Utah Data	National/Global Context
Glaucoma	1.11% Prevalence	1.49M Americans Affected
Blindness	65,000 Residents in Utah	1.09M Americans Total
AMD	Data Limited	Ongoing Gene Therapy Trials

These figures highlight Utah’s relatively favorable status on certain metrics while also reflecting broader national patterns of age-related eye disease concerns.

Rural-Urban Disparities

Urban and rural regions in Utah display notable differences in both vision care access and eye health outcomes.

• Vision difficulty rates in rural counties, such as San Juan, range from 13.5–25.4%, significantly higher than the 5.4–9.8% range seen in urban areas.
• Rural providers currently coordinate 220 outreach surgeries and 1,200 mobile clinic exams annually through one state medical center.
• A total of 85% of eye care providers cite cost as the primary barrier for rural and low-income patients, underscoring socioeconomic limitations.
• Hispanic/Latino populations have lower diabetic retinopathy screening rates, with only 50% of diabetic individuals receiving yearly exams.

Due to provider shortages and distance, rural residents often delay care, increasing the likelihood of advanced eye disease. Mobile clinics and outreach programs help close these gaps, though disparities persist.

Area	Estimated Vision Difficulty Rate	Annual Outreach Exams
Rural (e.g., San Juan)	13.5–25.4%	1,200
Urban Centers	5.4–9.8%	N/A

These disparities illustrate how living in rural versus urban Utah can profoundly shape access to eye care services and vision health outcomes.

Racial and Ethnic Trends

In Utah, racial and ethnic differences help explain distinct patterns in eye disease prevalence and service utilization.

• Among Black Utahns, 3.15% experience glaucoma, triple the rate seen in White residents.
• Hispanic Utahns are 1.5 times more likely to report vision loss than White residents.
• Diabetic retinopathy screenings for Hispanic/Latino communities remain at only 50% among diabetic adults.
• Socioeconomic disparities, including historical redlining, correlate with delayed care and higher rates of advanced eye disease in minority populations.

These patterns align with broader national data linking health inequalities to structural barriers. As minority populations continue growing in Utah, these disparities remain a key area of data monitoring.

Population Group	Glaucoma Prevalence	Screening Rates (Diabetic Retinopathy)
Black Utahns	3.15%	N/A
Hispanic/Latino Utahns	N/A	~50%
White Utahns	~1.11%	N/A

While overall prevalence for some conditions remains low statewide, individual subgroups often experience disproportionately higher rates of vision impairment.

Comparison with Neighboring States and the U.S. Average

Glaucoma statistics and economic indicators offer additional perspective by examining surrounding regions.

State	Glaucoma Prevalence (2022)	Vision-Affecting Cases
Utah	1.11%	0.57%
Idaho	1.32%	0.68%
Nevada	1.67%	0.89%
U.S. Avg	1.62%	0.91%

• Utah’s diversified economy, with a median income of $118B, correlates with more resources for eye care.
• Nevada’s higher prevalence (1.67%) and older demographics may contribute to increased vision impairment.
• Utah’s blindness rates stand at 30% below the national average, which helps reduce overall care burdens.

The data demonstrate how economic stability and age structures influence health outcomes, with Utah maintaining relatively lower glaucoma rates despite challenges within specific communities.

Key Statistics Summary

• Utah’s population growth since 2000: +954,000 residents
• Statewide glaucoma prevalence: 1.11%
• Rural vision difficulty: up to 25.4% in certain counties
• Black Utahns’ glaucoma prevalence: 3.15%
• Utah blindness rates: 30% below U.S. average

The data presented here illustrate Utah’s unique position with low statewide rates of certain eye diseases, yet heightened disparities in minority and rural populations. Ongoing tracking of these figures provides a clearer framework for evaluating progress and challenges within Utah’s vision health landscape.