New Survey on Eye Health Finds Most People Say They Know the Importance of an Annual Eye Exam, but Actually - They Don't and They're Not Getting One

- New Johnson & Johnson Vision global survey sheds light on people's views around the importance of eye health as well as the barriers to care.

- While the majority of people said they agree an eye exam is important for overall health, many don't know why and aren't taking proactive measures to keep their eyes healthy

LONDON, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1.3 billion people around the world suffer from visual impairment, yet 80% of these cases are treatable if discovered early.¹ To better understand people's views on the importance of eye health, Johnson & Johnson Vision* today announced findings from a comprehensive, large-scale global eye health survey in advance of World Sight Day on October 8. The survey reveals both a disconnect in patient views towards the importance of eye health and how they prioritize it as part of their overall health, as well as unique barriers to care and varying attitudes towards eye health specific to different regions, generations, and genders.

Most adults surveyed (80%) said they view an eye exam as important for their overall health and recognized that healthy vision improves overall quality of life (68%) and keeps them safe (61%).

However, despite this reported awareness, less than half (46%) of all respondents said they actually get an eye exam each year—the single most important step to protect your eyes.

When asked why they skipped an annual eye exam, people's reasons varied:

• The most common answer was that their vision hadn't changed (32%), which presents an opportunity to educate patients about an annual eye exam can preserve and protect vision, in addition to playing an important role in overall health.
• COVID-19 has elevated the importance of health but also affected people's ability and willingness to seek out care, including eye exams. Despite that, the survey uncovered that less than one in five (16%) were reluctant or unable to schedule an eye exam due to the pandemic.
• Finally, cost was a much larger barrier for certain groups, including younger generations—24% of Gen Z and Millennials globally said they can no longer afford to see an eye doctor, compared to only 13% overall.

"At Johnson & Johnson Vision, we are committed to changing the trajectory of eye health, which starts by addressing the biggest barriers to care—awareness and access," said Sandra Rasche, Area Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Vision Care, Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH. "This survey has uncovered new insights and opportunities around how we, as an eye health community, can help people to prioritize their eyes by getting an annual eye exam."

Additional survey insights shined light on how people may not understand what steps are needed to take care of their vision:

• Less than half of people surveyed believed they could prevent their eyesight from deteriorating (47%) or responded that vision loss is a part of aging and they have no control over it (46%). In fact, the prevention and treatment of life-altering eye conditions starts with a single eye exam.
• Respondents did not recognize the potential benefits and impact of having healthy vision, including that it prevents vision problems (56%), can impact learning and comprehension (39%), or is critical for healthy development in children (25%).
• Surprisingly, despite reporting that they knew an eye exam could help diagnose early signs of chronic diseases (69%), most didn't know the full breadth and weren't aware it could help detect diabetes (only 25% knew), cardiovascular disease (10%), or cancer (9%).

The survey was conducted online in August 2020 by TRUE Global Intelligence among more than 6,000 adults 18 years of age or older across the United States, Japan, China, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom. This is part of the Prioritize Your Eyes campaign, a worldwide effort to raise awareness about the importance of eye health and encourage everyone to get an annual eye exam, launched in February 2020 by Johnson & Johnson Vision to carry out its commitment to change the trajectory of eye health.

This World Sight Day, make the commitment to #PrioritizeYourEyes, spread the word with your loved ones and make an appointment with your eye care professional for a comprehensive eye exam. 

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About Prioritize Your Eyes
Prioritize Your Eyes was launched in early 2020 and is just one part of Johnson & Johnson Vision's ongoing commitment and collaboration with various partners and professional organizations to elevate eye health to a global priority and address the barriers of awareness and access. The company has also granted ongoing support to Lions Clubs International Foundation's Sight for Kids, which has provided more than 30 million children with access to eye health education and treatment services, and has also committed funds to HCP|CureBlindness which has helped to screen and treat more than 11.5 million people and performed more than 940,000 surgeries in 20 countries.

About Johnson & Johnson Vision*
At Johnson & Johnson Vision, part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health around the world. Through our operating companies, we deliver innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error, cataracts and dry eye. In communities with greatest need, we work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we are committed to helping people see better, connect better and live better. Visit us at www.jjvision.com. Follow @JNJVision on Twitter and Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn.

About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies**
At Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we are helping people live their best lives. Building on more than a century of expertise, we tackle pressing healthcare challenges, and take bold steps that lead to new standards of care while improving people's healthcare experiences. In surgery, orthopaedics, vision and interventional solutions, we are helping to save lives and paving the way to a healthier future for everyone, everywhere.

*Johnson & Johnson Vision represents the products and services of Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the affiliates of both.

** The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices segment. 

***Sandra Rasche is an employee of Johnson & Johnson Medical GmbH serving as Area Vice President, Johnson & Johnson Vision with oversight of Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Media Contacts
Sally Hetherington
+44 7770 337800
shether1@its.jnj.com

George Ross
george.ross@fhflondon.co.uk   

© Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd. 2020

¹ The World Health Organization Visual impairment and blindness Fact Sheet N°282 August 2014

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