July 25, 2024 — The Vision Council (TVC) released its Consumer inSights Q2 2024 report, examining U.S. consumers’ views and habits regarding vision correction, managed vision care, eye exams, prescription eyewear, reading glasses, and plano sunglasses.

Largely consistent with findings from the first quarter of 2024, TVC’s latest report highlighted differences between consumers of different generations. Overall, older consumers are more likely to have managed vision care benefits, get eye exams from independent eye doctors, and plan their next exam within 12 months.

The following are some key findings from the report:

• Gen X participants utilize managed vision care benefits the most at 71%, while Millennial coverage increased by five percentage points to 69% from Q1 2024.
• Annual eye exams are less frequent among younger generations but have increased by nine and 11 percentage points for Gen Z and Millennials, respectively, from Q1 2023 to Q2 2024.
• Younger generations prefer corporate locations for eye exams and are less likely to plan their next exam within a year.
• Most respondents (83%) use some form of vision correction, including glasses, prescription sunglasses, reading glasses, and contact lenses.
• Sixty-eight percent of respondents use prescription eyewear, 64% wear nonprescription sunglasses, and 36% use reading glasses.
• When it comes to eye exams, 62% had one within the past 12 months and 21% had their last eye exam more than two years ago.
• Forty percent spent $99 or less out-of-pocket for glasses, lenses, or frames.
• Contact lens purchases are more likely online, with a 33% online purchase rate.

The report is based on a survey of 12,058 U.S. adults conducted in the second quarter of 2024. The full report is available here as a complimentary download for members and for nonmembers to purchase.