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Transitions’ Survey Reveals Aging Workforce Values Vision Benefit, But Doesn’t Take Advantage of It

February 6, 2012 12:24 AM

 

ORLANDO, Fla.—Despite a strong interest in their company vision benefit, today’s aging U.S. workforce isn’t fully taking advantage of it, a new survey released by Transitions Optical reveals. Consequently, many employees are missing out on a critical preventive care opportunity and leaving themselves at higher risk for age-related vision problems, eye diseases and chronic conditions that impact eye health and compromise productivity.

According to the annual Employee Perceptions of Vision Benefits survey conducted by Transitions Optical, Baby Boomers between the ages of 45 and 64 are only slightly more likely than younger employees to enroll in their vision benefit (79 percent vs. 75 percent). Similarly, 34 percent of Baby Boomers and 23 percent of those ages 65 and over who enroll do not utilize their benefit to receive a comprehensive eye exam. The survey was conducted online by Synovate (Ipsos) www.ipsos.ca in October 2011, among 2,011 full-time, adult U.S. employees whose employers offer vision benefits.

“A quality vision benefit is important for everyone, but especially for employees ages 45 and older, who are more likely to experience vision problems that hurt job performance. This age group also has a higher risk for developing costly eye diseases and whole body conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, all of which can be detected through comprehensive eyecare, and addressed with the right eyewear to correct, enhance and protect vision,” said Pat Huot, director, managed vision care, Transitions Optical. “With ongoing medical cost concerns among employers and employees alike, our survey findings have flagged a serious lost opportunity to help lower potential health care expenditures and boost productivity, and for consumers to take greater control of their health outcomes in the future.”

Employee education materials about the value of vision care and vision wear through a vision benefit are available for no charge through the Transitions Healthy Sight Working for You program, in the tools section of www.HealthySightWorkingForYou.org. The site also includes the Healthy Sight Calculator, which allows employers to determine potential health care cost and productivity savings possible for their specific workforce through a comprehensive vision benefit.
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