Vision Statistics in Washington

Vision health in Washington State has undergone notable changes over the past two decades, revealing increases in age-related eye conditions, disparities in service accessibility, and significant regional differences in outcomes. This data-driven overview highlights key statistical trends shaping the current state of vision health, focusing on conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, as well as workforce distribution and comparative outcomes with neighboring states.

By examining prevalence rates, geographic patterns, and utilization of eye care services, this article offers a concentrated look into Washington’s vision health landscape. Below are the most pertinent figures drawn from federal health agencies, peer-reviewed studies, and state-specific resources, arranged in a way that can be easily referenced for ongoing research and community engagement.

Key Vision Health Statistics at a Glance

• 57% increase in diabetes-related vision complications reported statewide since 2010.
• Washington’s blindness rate is 0.8%, compared to the U.S. average of 1.1%.
• 2.1% age-adjusted prevalence of vision loss, below the national average of 2.8%.
• Black residents experience 2.1× higher rates of glaucoma-related blindness compared to white populations.

These numbers demonstrate Washington’s unique position, where certain overall rates are below national benchmarks but notable disparities persist between demographic groups and across rural versus urban areas. The following sections delve into the core statistics on disease prevalence, demographics, access to care, and comparisons with neighboring states.

Disease Prevalence and Demographic Trends

Understanding how common specific eye conditions are and who is most affected forms the basis for evaluating the state’s vision health status.

• 8.3% of Washington’s diabetic population has diabetic retinopathy, reflecting a 63% increase since 2005.
• Cataract surgery rates show a 20% gap between rural and urban populations.
• A 3.4-fold surge in vision impairment among Washington residents aged 90 and older has been recorded since 2005.
• The projected growth in cataract cases nationally is 78% from 25.7 million in 2014 to 45.6 million by 2050, while glaucoma prevalence is projected to grow by 93% in the same period.

This data points to a shifting demographic in need of continued monitoring, especially among older residents who represent the fastest growing group with significant vision impairment risk. The following table captures some of the key metrics for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other conditions in Washington compared to national and nearby state averages.

Inequities in Vision Health

Demographic and geographic disparities create varying impacts within Washington, reflecting how local factors influence access to care, preventive service utilization, and outcomes.

• Hispanic/Latino adults use routine eye exams 42% less frequently despite comparable diabetes prevalence.
• Black residents in Washington show 2.1× higher glaucoma-related blindness rates than white populations.
• 27% of Hispanic Medicaid recipients do not receive annual diabetic eye exams, compared to 19% in California.
• African American cataract surgery rates trail white populations by 15 percentage points, a disparity 5% wider than that in Oregon.

These figures underline how multiple demographic factors, including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, influence vision-related outcomes. Many rural counties also contend with limitations in provider availability, heightening the inequities in eye health service distribution across the state.

Access to Care and Workforce Distribution

Access to eye care professionals directly impacts early detection and treatment of vision problems. Data highlights the distribution of eye care providers and how it differs between urban and rural communities.

• 38% of rural ZIP codes in Washington lack ophthalmologists entirely.
• 22% of patients must travel over 50 miles to reach subspecialty eye care services in these rural areas.
• Top-five ranking for optometrist density in the nation, although rural coverage remains sparse.
• Medicaid expansion added vision care coverage for an additional 650,000 residents statewide.

Such rural-urban contrasts are particularly clear when comparing populous counties with more remote regions, as illustrated in the following table.

This variance highlights a clear need for targeted solutions in the state’s most underserved areas, especially given the rising rates of diabetes-related eye disease and other age-related conditions.

Telehealth and Remote Eye Care Services

Technological advancements, particularly telehealth, have been instrumental in bridging access gaps. Washington’s regulatory environment has fostered growth in remote refractions and consultations.

• An 18% increase in rural prescription rates occurred between 2019 and 2022 following telehealth service expansions.
• State policies introduced in 2018 widened insurance coverage for virtual eye exams, benefitting rural communities the most.
• Despite telehealth’s growth, over 1 in 3 remote areas still face slow broadband speeds or connectivity challenges, limiting tele-eye-care potential.

These developments underscore how effective policy adjustments and technological innovations can increase coverage for underserved populations, though infrastructure limitations remain a concern.

Comparisons with Neighboring States

Regional comparisons shed light on where Washington excels and where improvements may be needed to align with or surpass surrounding states’ vision health metrics.

• Diabetic eye exam rates are 63% in Washington, higher than Oregon (58%) and Idaho (51%), and above the national level (54%).
• Washington trails California in coverage for Hispanic Medicaid recipients: 27% lack annual eye exams in Washington vs. 19% in California.
• Glaucoma prevalence in Washington is 4.1%, slightly higher than Oregon’s 3.9% but lower than the national average of 4.3%.
• As a Tier 1 state for Medicaid vision coverage, Washington outperforms Oregon and Idaho, both listed in lower coverage tiers.

These regional data points often prove crucial for inter-state comparisons, highlighting where Washington’s policies and health outcomes outpace neighboring states, as well as areas needing targeted reform.

Emerging Challenges in Eye Health

Ongoing changes in population demographics and environmental factors create new challenges for Washington’s vision health landscape.

• 41.6% of U.S. adolescents are myopic, and Washington schools have recorded a 22% rise in pediatric optometry referrals since 2020.
• Smoke from wildfires is linked to a 31% higher incidence of dry eye disease in Eastern Washington agricultural regions.
• Older adults (≥90 years) present the fastest-growing group of vision-impaired individuals in Washington, reflecting an aging population in need of specialized services.

Such shifts underscore the dynamic nature of vision health demands, requiring vigilance and adaptation in both clinical and community-level responses.

Key Statistics Summary

• A 63% spike in diabetic retinopathy since 2005, significantly outpacing neighboring states.
• A 20% urban-rural gap in cataract surgery rates statewide.
• 14.7 per 100K optometrist density in King County vs. just 3.2 in Garfield County.
• 2.1% age-adjusted prevalence of vision loss, below the U.S. average of 2.8%.
• 18% boost in rural prescription rates following tele-optometry expansion (2019–2022).

Washington demonstrates leading performance in some preventive care measures and provider density, yet disparities persist along racial, ethnic, and geographic lines. This evolving data on conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts highlights the importance of comprehensive surveillance and continued efforts to narrow coverage gaps for underserved populations.