Demographic and Socioeconomic Differences in Outpatient Ophthalmology Utilization in the United States

•Demographically disadvantaged Americans had fewer outpatient ophthalmologist visits.•Geographically, Americans in the Midwest and West had less outpatient utilization.•Minority Americans had more ophthalmic emergency department visits but lower cost per visit.•Current models may not be sufficient for expected population demographic changes.•Further characterization of these results is needed to better predict future needs.