Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Nationwide Survey Uncovers Current Trends in Vision Care Behavior, Satisfaction Rates, and Information Sources
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 28, 2012) – While Americans rank sight as the most important of the five senses, a new survey shows that nearly half did not get an eye exam in the past year and approximately 30 percent do not believe that taking care of their eyes is as important as other health issues. The 2012 Americans’ Attitudes and Perceptions About Vision Care Survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive© on behalf of VISTAKON® Division Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., tracked attitude and behavior changes among 1,000 U.S. adults compared to 2006 benchmark data and revealed surprising discrepancies between attitudes about vision care and actual practices.
Results show a consistently high value placed on maintaining proper vision, although the number of respondents who indicated they do not regularly visit an eye care professional increased 36 percent compared to 2006 (19% vs. 14% in 2006). Alarmingly, approximately one in five (21 percent) U.S. adults mistakenly agrees that they do not need an eye exam unless they are having trouble seeing.
“Despite knowledge and perceived importance, Americans are not making eye health a medical priority,” says Cristina Schnider, O.D., Senior Director, Professional Communications, VISTAKON® “Seeing an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive eye exam will not only assess vision and the potential need for updated prescriptions, but it may also help identify and lead to a diagnosis of other health concerns such as hypertension and diabetes.”
Among the respondents who have a regular eye care professional, the study shows an upward trend in satisfaction rates. Significantly more U.S. adults are extremely/very satisfied with their regular eye care professional, an 18 percent increase vs. 2006 (80% vs. 68% in 2006). When asked about the reason for their last eye exam, significantly more respondents noted that they had established a set eye exam schedule (32% vs. 29% in 2006) or received a reminder from the eye doctor’s office (20% vs. 17% in 2006) (an increase of 10 and 18 percent, respectively).
Nearly 80 percent of respondents indicated they sought a referral when selecting their current eye care professional, with a family member, friend or co-worker serving as the single greatest referral source (40 percent), followed by a health care provider (21 percent). Women were significantly more likely than men to seek referrals for a new eye care professional (48% vs. 37%, respectively).
Sources for obtaining information on vision care products are also evolving. Eye care provider’s offices remain the number-one resource - and the most trusted/reliable – but a growing number of U.S. adults say they seek out a family member or friend for information. The Internet has gained traction as well; an increase of 33 percent of respondents cited this as an information resource for vision care (20% vs. 15% in 2006).
“These findings are consistent with data from a recent Harris Poll1 that showed three quarters (74 percent) of all adults have gone online at some point to look for health information,” says Humphrey Taylor, Chairman, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive®. “As the influence of the Internet as a valued source of health care and medical information continues to grow, eye care professionals need to work hard to ensure that they are providing the public with relevant, user-friendly and reliable information.”
Other findings from the Americans’ Attitudes and Perceptions About Vision Care survey included the following:
- Many attitudes regarding contact lenses did not change significantly since 2006, with one exception
- Compared to 2006, significantly more contact lens wearers agree that it is important to take lenses out daily to give their eyes a rest (93 percent, 2012 vs. 86 percent, 2006).
- About one-in-five contact lens wearers (17 percent) say they wear daily-disposable contact lenses
- Cost is less of a barrier to vision care
- Approximately three in ten adults (29 percent) agree that they avoid going to their eye doctor because of cost, a 12 percent decrease vs. 2006.
- Two in three adults have some type of eye care insurance coverage.
- Vision correction surgery remains minimal
- Six percent of U.S. adults reported having vision correction surgery, compared to seven percent in 2006.
- The likelihood to have vision correction surgery is significantly less, declining from 10 percent extremely/very likely in 2006 to six percent in 2012.
To receive an executive summary of the survey, e-mail your request [email protected].
About the Survey
The 2012 American’s Attitudes and Perceptions About Vision Care study was conducted online within the United States from February 27, 2012 to March 5, 2012 by Harris Interactive on behalf of VISTAKON® Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. The survey queried a nationally representative cross section of 1,000 adults in the United States aged 18 and older. The data from the study was demographically weighted to reflect the census of the general U.S. adult population (regardless of whether they have internet access or not). The survey was designed to comply with the code and standards of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO) and the code of the National Council of Public Polls (NCPP).
About Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care is the world’s leading innovator and manufacturer of disposable contact lenses. Anchored by its mission to bring healthy vision to everyone, everywhere, every day, the Company has set industry standards through groundbreaking technology and revolutionary products. Its best-selling ACUVUE® Brand launched as the world’s first disposable soft contact lens in 1987 and has since introduced numerous first-to-market product formulations. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care has some 3,400 employees at offices and state-of-the-art research and manufacturing facilities throughout the world where it manufactures 2 billion contact lenses a year. The Company provides professional instruction through THE VISION CARE INSTITUTE® LLC, a Johnson & Johnson Company, a renowned program taught in 27 languages in 40 markets worldwide. For more information, please visit www.jnjvisioncare.com.
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for The Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/NewsRoom/HarrisPolls/tabid/447/ctl/ReadCustom%20Default/mid/1508/ArticleId/863/Default.aspx ACUVUE®, VISTAKON® and THE VISION CARE INSTIT
For further information, contact:
Gary Esterow
VISTAKON® Division Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
(904) 629-6232
[email protected]
Michele Gray
(917) 449-9250
[email protected]