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ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Today, The Vision Council released a new COVID-19 Optical Impact consumer survey. Conducted by The Vision Council’s research team in February, the study surveyed more than 10,000 adults across the U.S. and was designed to measure respondents’ level of concern over exposure to COVID-19, including measures they are taking to prevent exposure, changes in eye exam intent, and how respondents are prioritizing medical care, as well as eyewear purchases. Steve Kodey, senior director of Industry Research Services at The Vision Council said, “Given the growing severity of the COVID-19 virus on both the physical health and economic well-being of the U.S., The Vision Council conducted a consumer survey in February that gauges the impact of the COVID-19 threat on consumers’ decisions to get eye exams and make eyewear purchases in the future.

“Based on the survey results, over 60 percent of U.S. adult population indicate that they are concerned on some level with COVID-19, with 15 percent being extremely concerned. Concern with the virus is highest among women, adults over the age of 55 and adults from the Northeast region of the U.S. This concern has had a sizable impact on intended future exam and eyewear buying activity as the rest of the report illustrates,” Kodey said.







 
“As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and its day-to-day effects across the world and at home, The Vision Council thinks it is important to be aware of how consumers’ reactions are affecting the ways they take care of themselves, especially their eyes,” said Ashley Mills, CEO at The Vision Council. “As the virus continues to evolve, we believe it is important to understand consumer sentiment.”

The survey was conducted as part of The Vision Council’s monthly VisionWatch survey and included questions such as whether respondents are putting off medical treatments and if they intend to schedule a routine eye exam while coronavirus remains a threat. The survey was fielded to a demographically balanced sample of more than 10,000 U.S. adults over the course of February.

The Vision Council members have access to a free summary report as well as an exclusive recorded presentation of the February survey results given by Kodey at The Vision Council. The free summary report and recorded presentation can be found here.  

The survey is being conducted throughout the month of March to monitor any changes in consumer sentiment.

VisionWatch is an ongoing study that provides The Vision Council’s members with exclusive insights into the optical marketplace’s current and historical trends, retailer shares, consumer traits and demographic breakdowns. The Vision Council issues other topical research reports throughout the year that are available for purchase.