While most people agree that their health is very important and that eye exams are an effective way to preserve eye health, there is still a disconnect when it comes to seeing their eyecare professional. According to the “Eye Health Awareness and Access” survey of 1,000 consumers commissioned by America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, the vast majority of people (93 percent) agree that their health is very important to them. People also seem to understand the importance of eye exams to preserve eye health with 84 percent agreeing that it is important to get regular eye exams regardless of whether they are seeing well or not. However, the survey also found that 40 percent have not had an eye exam in the past year, and 10 percent have never seen an eye doctor.
Why? “No need, I am seeing fine,” was the number one reason for not recently visiting an eyecare professional, according to 37 percent of respondents. This was followed closely by “I can’t afford it,” cited by 34 percent. Survey respondents also reported that they expect to pay more than $90 for an eye exam. Price was cited as the most important factor when shopping for eyeglasses (according to 74 percent of respondents), followed by quality (57 percent), location (47 percent), convenience (41 percent), and hours (19 percent).
