More than Half of Respondents Purchased Eyewear Online at Least Once

 

The Vision Council has released Focused inSights 2022: Digital Habits. The survey asked respondents how they use digital devices, if they were affected by digital eyestrain, their online purchasing habits, their social media use, and their experience with telehealth for eyecare. The poll was conducted by The Vision Council in August 2022 among a sample of 3,102 U.S. adults.

The report is available in The Vision Council’s Research Download Center as a complimentary download for members of The Vision Council and a paid report for non-members. In addition to complimentary access to the report, members of The Vision Council also have access to a complimentary one-page summary of the report.

“The survey results show that American adults spend a significant amount of time using digital devices, with 80 percent reporting some symptoms of digital eyestrain,” said Alysse Henkel, the senior director of market research and analytics at The Vision Council. “Nearly all respondents had made an online purchase, with convenience being the driving factor as to why they shop online. Two-thirds of American adults have purchased something online in the past week. And when it comes to shopping online for eyewear, more than half of consumers have purchased eyewear online at least once. Furthermore, online eyewear shoppers are satisfied with their purchase, with 90 percent saying they would buy eyewear online again.”

Some key takeaways from the report are highlighted below:

More than half of the respondents have made an online eyewear purchase, with most purchases being made on their smartphones

  • 56 percent of American adults said they have made an online eyewear purchase, 35 percent of prescription glasses wearers have bought their glasses online at least once and 53 percent of those who use non-prescription products have bought their eyewear online. Among those who have ever purchased eyewear online, 80 percent looked for reviews online and 61 percent of those say the reviews influenced their selection
  • Among those most recently purchasing any eyewear online, 47 percent made their previous eyewear purchase in-person

Among respondents who have ever had an eye exam, one-third used the internet to schedule their most recent eye exam, and nearly all had a positive experience

  • Among those who used the internet to schedule their most recent eye exam, 93 percent had a positive experience and 93 percent indicate they will schedule their next exam using the internet
  • Prior to their most recent exam, half (50 percent) of patients searched for reviews of eye doctors and 62 percent of those patients indicate that reviews influenced their selection of an eye doctor

31 percent of American adults are familiar with telehealth services for eyecare, but only 12 percent of respondents have used telehealth services for eyecare

  • Among those who have not used telehealth services for eyecare, half (50 percent) are interested in using it in the future

About 80 percent of consumers experienced at least one symptom of digital eyestrain in the prior 30 days

  • Among those who experience symptoms of eyestrain, three-fourths (75 percent) experience symptoms at least once per week

Social media is used as a research tool for consumers planning to purchase eyewear, researching eye doctors and eye exams

  • 40 percent of consumers have used social media to research information related to eyewear; the most common sources used are YouTube (24 percent), Facebook (18 percent) and Instagram (13 percent)
  • 36 percent of consumers have used social media to research information related to eye doctors; the most common sources used are Facebook and YouTube (both 17 percent)
  • One-third of consumers (34 percent) have used social media to research information related to eye exams; the most common sources used are Facebook (17 percent) and YouTube (16 percent)

More about the inSights Research Program

The Vision Council launched its new inSights Research Program in May 2022. Built on a foundation of rigorous methodology and cutting-edge technology, the inSights Research Program provides a comprehensive perspective on the state of the optical industry through quarterly consumer survey reportsquarterly in-depth special reports on eyewear and eyecare products and topics; and an end-of-year market estimate and industry forecast.

Focused inSights 2022: Digital Habits is the third of The Vision Council’s Focused inSights reports to be released in 2022, following the Sunglass Snapshot and Consumer Choices report. Focused inSights reports are in-depth special interest reports on rotating topics.

For more information on the program, including an overview of the new report categories and release timing, click here.

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About The Vision Council
As the vision care leader in enabling better vision for better lives, The Vision Council positions its members for success by promoting growth in the vision care industry through education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums.