The value of vision care

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75% of Americans need some form of vision correction1. Get a better understanding of the widespread need of vision care, the impact it has on the economy and how routine vision plays a critical role in the early detection of many chronic health conditions.

  • More than 150 million Americans use corrective eyewear to compensate for refractive errors2
  • An estimated 61 million adults in the U.S. are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past 12 months3
  • Vision disability is one of the top 10 disabilities among adults 18 years and older and one of the most prevalent disabling conditions among children3
  • 90% of computer and device users experience visual issues or Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS)4
  • Eye diseases, vision loss, and eye disorders cost the U.S. economy $139 billion a year5
  • Uncorrected vision problems like refractive errors cost the global economy nearly $272 billion in lost productivity6

Vision needs at every age

  • Only 14% of children have had a comprehensive vision exam before 1st grade7
  • Approximately 25% of U.S. children use some form of vision correction8
  • 68% of seniors are managing and/or treating conditions related to vision or eye health9
  • Glaucoma affects more than 2.7 million Americans age 40 and older10

Diagnosing health conditions11

Annual eye exams play a critical role in the early diagnosis of many chronic health conditions, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Cognitive dysfunction and dementia

1. VisionExpo summary of the Vision Council’s report, http://www.visionexpoeast.com/Press/Vision-Voice-Newsletter/Vision-Correction-Usage-Increasing. 2. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019. 4. What Is Computer Vision Syndrome? 2014. American Optometric Association, 2019. 6. Vision Impact Institute, 2019. 7. Better Vision Institute, 2019. 8. The Vision Council, 2012. 9. Mintel research study, 2019. 10. American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2019. 11. The medical advantage of an eye exam. Versant Health. 2019.

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