ECPs have considerable influence on patients’ spectacle lens choices

At this year’s Transitions Academy, Transitions Optical and the Center for Generation Kinetics released survey results that found consumer lens choices are largely influenced by eye care professionals.

Fifty percent of consumers said they would try Transitions lenses if recommended by an eye care professional, while 54% said if discouraged by their eye care professional they would not try the lenses, according to a press release from Transitions.

Although eye care professionals, at 61%, have the most influence on eyeglass selection, the influence of spouses or partners is a close second, at 55%.

Fifty-eight percent of participants cited the convenience of photochromic lenses as their top reason for liking Transitions, while 48% cited the health protection both indoors and outdoors,

according to the release.

The survey results focused on generation-specific data, citing 56% of Millennial eyeglass wearers as interested in trying Transition lenses. The survey also found that Millennials’ eyeglass decisions are four times more likely than any other generation to be influenced by a celebrity, athlete or online personality. Additionally, if given the opportunity to try Transitions lenses for a week for free, 80% of Millennials would, according to the release.

More Millennial consumers, at 59%, view eyeglass shopping as an enjoyable or easy experience, whereas only 43% of GenXers and 42% of Baby Boomers have a positive eyeglass shopping experience, survey results showed. Subsequently, 50% of eyeglasses wearers said clear and upfront costs, as well as good frame sections, would improve the eyeglass shopping experience.

Consumers across all generations are most likely to receive input about the style and cost when choosing eyeglasses.