See what’s happening in teen eye care

A new Alcon-sponsored survey conducted by Wakefield Research uncovered a gap between parental recognition of the role of vision in academic success and actual eye examination rates among teens, according to a press release from Alcon.

The survey included 1,000 US parents of teens and young adults aged 13 to 25 years. The key findings were as follows:

• 88% of parents believe vision affects academic performance, classroom participation, and classroom confidence

• 27% of teens have not had a comprehensive eye examination in the past year or ever

• only about two-thirds had one in the past year despite 66% of parents rating back-to-school examinations as very or extremely important.

Additional findings

School screenings are being conflated with comprehensive examinations, with 16% of parents delaying scheduling an examination because their teen passed a school vision screening. Other cited barriers to scheduling include appointment availability (16%) and cost/insurance (15%). Routine annual scheduling (54%) was the top factor keeping families on track.

More than 53% of parents noticed emotional or behavioral effects associated with uncorrected visual problems, including frustration (37%), stress (27%), and low confidence (22%); 21% worry their teen would not recognize or report a vision problem.

The survey also found a gap in contact lens use, with 42% of teens and young adults wearing glasses versus only 23% who wear contacts, even though 70% of parents think contacts could benefit their child. Perceived benefits cited by parents included confidence (42%), appearance (43%), convenience (30%), and sports performance (30%). In addition, 81% of parents consider that age of 13 years is appropriate to start contact lens wear.

Highest motivation for appointment scheduling

The recommendation by an eye care provider was the top motivator for scheduling an examination, cited by 45% of parents. This underscores the role clinicians can play in closing this eye care gap, particularly around correcting the screening-vs-examination misconception and initiating contact lens conversations with eligible teen patients during back-to-school season.

The survey highlights the opportunity for eye care providers before schools reopen, Alcon’s PRECISION Back-to-School campaign can be accessed here. The information provided includes patient education materials, fitting resources, guidance on communicating with Gen Z patients, and practice tools designed to support proactive contact lens conversations with teens and young adults during the back-to-school season, according to the press release.