Consumers from Around the Globe Share Expectations and Experiences About
Digital Device Use, Digital Eye Fatigue and Health Habits; Highlights Critical Conversation Gap
PLEASANTON, Calif., January 26, 2018—CooperVision, Inc. today released its Digital Device Usage and Your Eyes report, highlighting new global research on consumer use of digital devices in relation to eye health. Believed to be the largest initiative of its kind, the data reveals multiple opportunities for eye care professionals (ECPs) to deepen patient relationships. A multifaceted survey was conducted among thousands of respondents in Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States1.
The report is available for immediate download from CooperVision.com/digital-report.
The research showed that both contact lens wearers and non-wearers worry about how much they use digital devices. Globally, 19 percent of people who use vision correction and 18 percent of people who do not express concern about the amount of time spent looking at screens. This edges higher – to 26 percent globally – for contact lens wearers.
“It’s clear that people around the world are beginning to consider the effects of digital device use on their eyes, including discomfort symptoms associated with digital eye fatigue,” said Gary Orsborn, OD, MS, FAAO, FBCLA, Vice President, Global Professional & Clinical Affairs, CooperVision.
“While there’s widespread interest by patients in discussing digital device use with their eye care professional, that’s not happening in large part. Bridging this conversation gap is a substantial opportunity for ECPs, helping them provide better care while remaining even more relevant in the lives of their patients as device use skyrockets.”
Globally, just 14 percent of contact lens wearers reported that they had spoken with an ECP regarding digital device use. Yet 78 percent of contact lens wearers – nearly four in five – said they would be very or somewhat interested in exploring ways to reduce eye tiredness with their ECP.
The report also highlights how respondents cope with the ocular discomfort from digital device use, which phrases they use to describe how their eyes feel after long periods of screen viewing, and similarities and differences among consumers depending where they live.
A follow-up survey in six nations revealed that nearly three in four contact lens wearers are willing to pay a premium for an option that reduces symptoms of digital eye fatigue2.
“How we use and rely on our eyes continues to change, especially as they have become the primary interface between digital devices and our brains. This report illustrates that eye care professionals have an incredible opportunity to better help consumers understand how digital lifestyles impact vision,” noted Dr. Orsborn.
CooperVision has kept pace with this evolution, rethinking how contact lenses can perform and provide even more value in digitally-dominant environments. CooperVision Biofinity Energys™ is the first contact lens specifically created for digital lifestyles. These pioneering contact lenses are engineered from the ground up, combining breakthrough optical properties with an advanced moisture-retaining polymer material. Eye care professionals worldwide are now prescribing the patent-pending lenses.
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1 All figures in the report, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov America Inc. The total sample size was 9,343 adults in Australia, France, U.S., Germany, U.K., Japan, and Spain, of which 1,282 wear contact lenses. Fieldwork was undertaken between August 22-29, 2017. The survey was carried out online.
2 An additional online study conducted by YouGov America Inc. of 18,099 adults (6,891 contact lens wearers) was carried out in the U.S., U.K., Japan, Germany, Spain, and Italy between October 5-12, 2017.
Figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) from each country.
About CooperVision
CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE:COO), is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism and presbyopia; and offers the most complete collection 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 The Cooper Companies
The Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper is dedicated to being A Quality of Life Company™ with a focus on delivering shareholder value. 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 families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on women’s health, fertility and diagnostics. Headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., Cooper has more than 11,000 employees with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com.
Media Contact
Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA
McDougall Communications for CooperVision, Inc.
mike@mcdougallpr.com or +1-585-434-2150