Data Shows What’s Holding Back Your Contact Lens Practice | Spring 2022
U.S. eye care providers are missing an opportunity to talk about contact lens options with two thirds of patients, according to a CLI-commissioned nationwide survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. adults who require vision correction
CLI research reveals that U.S. eye care practitioners are missing an opportunity to talk about contact lens options with two out of three patients, among other eye-popping findings.
Educating the Uninformed
When asked about their two most recent practice visits, only a fraction of adults remembered contact lenses being discussed as an occasional alternative for glasses (11%), a replacement for glasses (8%) or to replace reading glasses (4%). Despite widespread attention about the issue in the past two years, just 6% recall their practitioner having talked about contact lenses to eliminate fogging. And a meager 7% remembered being told about new advancements in contact lenses. 66% stated that none of these opportunities were raised.
Misinformation may affect consumer contact lens purchasing decisions, placing their eye health and vision at risk.
About one in two Americans aren’t necessarily aware that contact lenses can be different from each other—a recipe for unadvisable switching. Nearly half aren’t sure if all contact lens brands are essentially the same (44%) or if it’s ok to swap their prescribed brand for another (47%). Another 57% aren’t sure if all contact lenses are made from the same type of plastic and 46% don’t know if they all use the same general design.
False beliefs may lead to patient-initiated brand swaps, as approximately one in five adults definitively stated that contact lens brands are interchangeable. The CLI research also showed that about three out of five adults may not check with their eye doctor before switching brands.
Urban legends can also be an issue, with about one in two adults who require vision correction believing myths that may prevent them from wearing contact lenses. This includes 10% who stated that contact lenses are dangerous. Another 11% believe contact lenses can permanently stick to the eye and 14% think contact lenses can get lost behind the eye.
Contact Lens Spectrum
August 2022
Getting to the “Why”
AOA Focus
September 2022
Missed Opportunities?
There are significant opportunities with older patients, barriers to wear, and expectations for technological advancements.