Smart Eyewear Interest Growing
The Vision Council has released a report on consumer awareness, interest, and sentiment towards smart eyewear products, which they define as “connected eyewear that offers wireless connectivity and many ‘smart’ features right in the frames such as the ability to answer calls, listen to music, reply to messages, and use a voice assistant.” The report, Focused inSights Smart Eyewear 2023, found that more than a third of Americans intend to purchase tech eyewear within the year, with men aged 18-44, those in urban communities, and early adopters of technology especially likely to purchase. Although 56% of adults say they have heard of smart eyewear, just 9% know exactly what it is. 52% say they have heard nothing at all about these products in the last year, but those most likely to have recently heard about smart eyewear are early adopters of technology (50%) and those aged 18-34 (41%). Despite a low depth of awareness, half of adults have a favorable impression of these products and opt to purchase them for various reasons including that they think these products will be useful (42%), fun to use (39%), and they are interested in their technology and features (41%). This study was conducted in collaboration with Morning Consult. The full report is available free to The Vision Council members with a paid option for non-members. thevisioncouncil.org/research-reports
Enhance Contact Lens Culture
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) published “The Culture Calculation: Data-Backed Behaviors for Contact Lens Success” in collaboration with The Vision Council. The 19-page, infographic-rich report, the latest in CLI’s “See Tomorrow” research series, is designed to help eyecare practices enhance their contact lens cultures, in turn increasing patient satisfaction and practice business outcomes. It blends new quantitative research with practical insights and recommendations from forward-thinking optometrists, opticians, and technicians. When asked which of 21 culture-building factors could make the greatest difference if given more attention or resources — and after accounting for product availability and new products and treatments — respondents focused on items under their direct control: education and training, in-office advocacy, and the emotional and professional benefits of prescribing contact lenses. Advancements in contact lens products and treatments likewise ranked high among factors that will have the greatest impact through 2026. Profitability as a driver of contact culture is also on the radar for the next three years, identified by 21% of the eyecare community as having significant potential. Data was gathered in August 2023 from 173 qualified responses comprised of ODs (51%), opticians (35%), and OMDs (5%), with practice managers and owners also included. The report can be read or downloaded for free. contactlensinstitute.org
Barriers Female OMDs Face
Johnson & Johnson Vision released key findings from their Women in Ophthalmology survey, uncovering barriers faced by female ophthalmologists. In the survey of more than 100 female ophthalmologists, two-thirds (66%) said their professional ophthalmology experience would be better if they received mentorship from other OMDs of the same gender, yet only 26% received mentorship. More than half (56%) of respondents said they aspire to mentor new OMDs as they advance in their careers. Over one-third (36%) of respondents surveyed agree that there is a glass ceiling preventing them from reaching their career aspirations as an OMD. “Results from the Women in Ophthalmology Survey highlight the inequities disproportionately faced by women ophthalmologists today which is unacceptable,” said Lori Tierney, President, Americas, Johnson & Johnson Vision. www.jjvision.com
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