Vision Statistics in Wyoming

Vision health trends in Wyoming have evolved notably over the past two decades, offering insights into the state’s demographics, eye care availability, and health outcomes. This article compiles current statistics on prevalence, access, and key disparities to illuminate the scope of vision challenges in Wyoming.

Wyoming’s rural-frontier character, combined with an aging population and limited specialty care, creates a distinctive landscape for eye health. Below, we delve into important data points that highlight how factors like diabetic retinopathy, pediatric ophthalmology access, and socioeconomic disparities shape vision health outcomes.

Key Statistics at a Glance

Below are a few significant numbers that frame the broader findings.

• 1.3% of Wyoming residents experience severe visual acuity loss, matching the national average.
• 40% of patients needing advanced eye treatments travel out-of-state due to limited in-state specialists.
• 98% of primary eye care in Wyoming is delivered by optometrists.
• In frontier counties, the average travel distance for ophthalmology services is 85 miles.

These figures underscore a complex vision health profile, shaped by geographic constraints and variable access to specialty care. The sections below provide detailed statistics to clarify each aspect of Wyoming’s vision health environment.

Prevalence of Vision Issues

Data on common eye diseases and vision difficulties illustrate key patterns among Wyoming residents.

• Among those aged 65 and older, 6.1% report vision difficulties, slightly below the national figure of 7.7%.
• Age-related macular degeneration is projected to rise by 35% by 2030, driven by an increase in the population over 65.
• An estimated 19.6% of older adults in Wyoming experience cataracts, surpassing the national rate of 17.8%.
• School vision screenings identify refractive errors in about 7% of children, with amblyopia affecting roughly 2% of those under six.

These prevalence rates emphasize the impact of age and early detection programs on overall vision health in the state. While Wyoming aligns with national averages in some areas, certain conditions like cataracts exceed national benchmarks.

Condition	Wyoming Prevalence	National Average
Severe Visual Acuity Loss	1.3%	1.3%
Older Adults with Vision Difficulties	6.1%	7.7%
Age-Related Cataracts (65+)	19.6%	17.8%
Children with Refractive Error	7%	8%

Eye Care Workforce and Access

Provider distribution and distance traveled for services significantly influence Wyoming residents’ ability to receive timely eye care.

• The state hosts 98 optometry practices, with approximately 1 per 5,932 residents.
• Optometrists handle 98% of primary eye care, reflecting a shortage of ophthalmologists for advanced treatments.
• 40% of patients requiring specialized care travel to neighboring states for procedures not offered in Wyoming.
• Frontier areas have fewer than 7 residents per square mile, contributing to lengthy average travel distances of 85 miles for specialist care.

This provider landscape highlights the vital role of optometrists in the state’s health system. However, the limited availability of sub-specialty practitioners places a burden on many residents, especially in remote counties.

Workforce Metric	Wyoming	Comparison State/Measure
Optometrists Per 10k	1.68	1.85 (U.S. Avg)
Optometry Practices (Total)	98	1 per 4,966 in Hawaii
Frontier Residents Per Square Mile	<7	N/A
Percentage of Patients Traveling Out-of-State	40%	N/A

Demographic Disparities

Examining differences in vision health across age, income level, and race/ethnicity reveals various patterns of need.

• Adults over 65 represent 16% of the population yet account for 58% of severe vision loss cases.
• In counties with median incomes below $35,000, vision loss rates are over 2 times higher than in wealthier areas like Teton County.
• Hispanic and Native American communities make up 13% of the state’s population but experience diabetic retinopathy at rates 1.8× higher than other groups.
• Only 52% of Hispanic adults report receiving annual eye exams, compared to 69% of white residents.

These figures indicate that age, socioeconomic status, and racial or ethnic background all play significant roles in accessing eye care and experiencing vision loss.

Group	Population %	% of Severe Vision Loss
65+ Adults	16%	58%
Hispanic & Native American	13%	Higher Retinopathy
Low-Income Counties	N/A	2.1× Higher Vision Loss

Chronic Disease Impact

Vision complications linked to chronic conditions, particularly diabetes, highlight an additional dimension of eye health concerns in Wyoming.

• Between 2010 and 2023, diabetes prevalence increased from 6.8% to 9.1% in Wyoming.
• Diabetic retinopathy cases rose by 22% over the past decade, correlating with the state’s growing diabetic population.
• Only 45% of diabetic patients receive annual dilated eye exams, falling behind the national rate of 55%.
• Smoking rates, which remain higher in Wyoming than in some neighboring states, contribute to an elevated risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Because diabetes is a significant driver of vision loss, targeted measures for early detection and management of diabetic retinopathy can make a substantial difference in overall community health.

Indicator	Wyoming Rate	National Rate
Diabetes Prevalence	9.1%	11.3% (Est.)
Annual Dilated Eye Exam (Diabetic Patients)	45%	55%
Increase in Retinopathy Cases (Past Decade)	+22%	N/A

Comparative Insights with Neighboring States

Placing Wyoming’s data alongside surrounding states reveals how regional factors and varying healthcare infrastructures affect vision health outcomes.

• Visual acuity loss in Wyoming is 1.3%, on par with the U.S. average and higher than Utah’s 0.9%.
• Optometrist density is 1.68 per 10k people, lower than Colorado (2.15) and Utah (2.30).
• Wyoming has 0 pediatric ophthalmologists, compared to 14 in Colorado and 9 in Utah.
• Medicaid coverage for residents under 65 stands at 14%, trailing the 20% U.S. average and Colorado’s 23%.

Despite similarities in rural geography with Montana, Wyoming’s optometrist density is slightly higher than Montana’s, yet the shortage of specialized pediatric services remains a pressing gap.

Metric	Wyoming	Colorado	Montana	Utah	U.S. Average
Visual Acuity Loss (%)	1.3	1.1	1.4	0.9	1.3
Optometrists per 10k	1.68	2.15	1.52	2.30	1.85
Pediatric Ophthalmologists	0	14	2	9	3.2*
Diabetic Eye Exam Rate (%)	45	58	41	63	55
Medicaid Coverage (%)	14	23**	18	20	20

Key Statistics Summary

• 1.3% prevalence of severe visual acuity loss among Wyoming’s general population
• Optometrists account for 98% of primary eye care services statewide
• Diabetic retinopathy cases rose by 22% over the last decade
• Medicaid coverage is 14% among under-65 residents
• 45% of diabetic patients receive annual dilated exams, below the 55% U.S. average

Overall, Wyoming’s vision health profile encompasses a mix of encouraging indicators—such as average-aligned rates of severe vision loss—and areas where improvement is needed, notably in specialty access and diabetic eye care. With its aging population and rural geography, the state faces unique challenges that are reflected in these data points.