Latest Consumer Insights Series Includes Data from >8,000 People in Eight Countries,
Guides ECPs to Help Patients Overcome the Pandemic-Related Problem
SAN RAMON, Calif., May 5, 2021—The latest CooperVision Consumer Insights Series report is clearing up several questions about facemask-related spectacles and glasses fogging while offering in-practice guidance for eye care professionals. A Global Perspective on Spectacle Fogging is now available for download from https://coopervision.com/practitioner/clinical-resources/fogging-glasses-report.
A survey commissioned by CooperVision and conducted by YouGov queried more than 8,000 adult spectacles wearers in eight countries: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. The sample was well distributed, including similar numbers of spectacles-only and dual wearers (spectacles and contact lenses) respondents in each nation.
More than eight in ten people reported spectacle fogging when using a mask (86 percent for the spectacles-only group and 87 percent for the dual wear group).1 The findings match a separately conducted CooperVision-sponsored study in Europe, where 86% of respondents said they had the same challenge.2
A significant proportion of the dual wearing population turned to their contact lenses as a solution for fogging. 38 percent said they used their contact lenses more frequently. 31 percent shared they wore contact lenses in situations or for activities where they would have previously relied on their spectacles.
Spectacles-only respondents reported trying multiple actions to alleviate the problem. Almost one in three (30 percent) had removed their spectacles at the risk of not seeing clearly. And while nine percent had taken off their mask completely, another 21 percent said they had worn their masks incorrectly (e.g., leaving the nose uncovered) to seek relief.
Perhaps even more striking was that although about one in five people searched for a solution online, a mere two percent of respondents had contacted their eye care professional for advice.
“Considering how common mask-related fogging has become, there’s enormous opportunity for ECPs to take the lead in helping their patients,” said Simon Seshadri, Senior Vice President of Global Marketing for CooperVision. “We know that many affected spectacles wearers are considering contact lenses—nearly half of people, according to one study2—among their other options. By prompting these conversations, practitioners can assist patients with their vision, mitigate fogging challenges that are shown to decrease mask use during the pandemic, and bring in additional revenue. It’s doing well for all by doing good for all.”
The Consumer Insights Series report recommends the ECPs take three steps to engaging spectacles wearers about fogging: be proactive; provide tips that include wipes, sprays and redirecting exhaled airflow; and consider the extra flexibility of contact lens wear. More detailed suggestions are incorporated within the downloadable report.
CooperVision expects to release additional in-practice materials in the coming weeks to aid ECP communications regarding spectacle fogging.
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About CooperVision
CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of contact lenses. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly soft contact lenses that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. CooperVision has a strong heritage of addressing the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia, childhood myopia, and highly irregular corneas; and offers the most complete portfolio of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.
About CooperCompanies
CooperCompanies ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 12,000 with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
Media Contact
Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA, McDougall Communications
mike@mcdougallpr.com or +1-585-434-2150
1 CVI data on file 2020. YouGov Plc online consumer survey October 2020. Total sample size was 8,203 adults aged 18+ in US, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden, Canada, Netherlands and Australia who either wear glasses only (n=4,139) or wear both glasses and contact lenses (n=4,064).
2 CVI data on file 2020. Covid-19 glasses users survey, Verve, September2020. Base (all respondents): Total n=150 per country (Sweden, Italy, Spain, Germany, Poland, UK and France, total n=1050).