Workers with vision coverage may not be using their employee benefits, a survey by Transitions Optical indicates, despite the aging of the national workforce and high interest expressed in vision coverage.
The survey revealed that baby boomers were 79 percent likely to enroll in vision benefit programs, BLR reports, compared to 75 percent likelihood that younger workers would enroll. Despite these rates, however, 34 percent of boomers and almost a quarter of older workers who enrolled did not use their benefits for comprehensive eye exams afterward.
This may increase the risk of age-related vision problems, eye diseases and chronic conditions, the news source notes, since employees are missing out on preventive care that could detect and manage such issues before they grow in severity or become permanent.
"A quality vision benefit is important for everyone, but especially for employees ages 45 and older, who are more likely to experience vision problems that hurt job performance," said Transitions Optical managed vision care director Pat Huot.
He also noted that proper eyewear can correct, enhance and protect vision, and that comprehensive eye care can detect not only costly eye diseases but also whole body conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
Executives and managers in charge of employee benefit plan administration may wish to spend more time and effort encouraging employees to pursue these preventive measures, particularly since vision problems may negatively impact eye health and productivity. Later treatment is also typically more expensive than prevention, according to experts.
