Many not taking steps needed to preserve eyesight, survey finds

Many people recognize the importance of their eyesight, but less than one-third take the basic steps needed to preserve it, according to a survey released by Bausch + Lomb.

The Barometer of Global Eye Health polled more than 11,000 people in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States It found that more than two-thirds would rather lose 10 years off their life or one of their limbs instead of their sight and that three-quarters would rather have their pay cut in half than lose 50% of their quality of vision.

However, only 21% said they had regular eye exams over the past 5 years.

The survey showed 65% failed to visit an eye doctor because they did not have any symptoms and 60% said they did not go because they had clear vision. Furthermore, 39% felt “the only reason to visit an eye doctor is for vision corrections.”

“It’s critical that we expose and correct these misconceptions,” Cal Roberts, MD, Bausch + Lomb’s chief medical officer, said in a press release announcing the survey results. “While the majority of visual impairments are preventable when caught and treated early, clearly people around the globe are not seeing the importance of basic vision care and annual eye exams.”