JOHNSON & JOHNSON VISION SURVEY FINDS WESTERN EUROPEAN CONTACT LENS WEAR IS RECOVERING AS LOCKDOWNS EASE
- 63% of contact lens wearers surveyed are wearing contact lenses as much as they were before the pandemic
- 49% of contact lens wearers have already returned to their Optician, representing an excellent time to re-engage with patients
- From the start of 2021, Western Europe has witnessed a 12% increase in total consumption of contact lenses
Madrid, Spain – 18 October, 2021 – Johnson & Johnson Vision*, a global leader in eye health and part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies**, today announced the findings of their latest large-scale patient survey1 on the impact of COVID-19 on contact lens wear in Western Europe.
The survey found that contact lens consumption is showing signs of recovery across Western Europe since lockdown restrictions have eased. In fact, 63% of Western European contact lens wearers surveyed are wearing contact lenses as much as they were before the pandemic, with 10% now wearing contact lenses more often. Furthermore, of those that stopped wearing contact lenses during the pandemic, 53% claim they’re likely to return.
The recovery of contact lens consumption can be seen across multiple modalities. In fact, over the course of 2021, Western Europe has witnessed a 12% increase in total consumption of contact lenses.
JJV Data on file 2021: Western Cluster Covid Tracker, Wave 3 fielded in July 2021. N=3313. Markets included France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
“We know there has been a big impact on the contact lens market over the past two years, with reduced wear due to lack of occasions and increased screen-time at home,” said Lisa Ann Hill, Managing Director, Western Europe, Johnson & Johnson Vision.3 “Now we are starting to see some encouraging trends for recovery, with 61% of wearers planning to purchase contact lenses within the next 3 months and 26% planning this purchase for next month. With most wearers purchasing their lenses from an Independent or Optical store, now is a perfect time to talk to patients about contact lens solutions that can support changes in lifestyle and comfort for more digital lives during their visits.”
In this “new world” where 35% of contact lens wearers have reduced or paused their contact lens wear due to their use of digital devices, the ACUVUE® OASYS family of contact lenses can help meet and address some of the challenges that screen use causes by helping prevent patients’ eyes feeling tired when staring at digital devices or working in challenging environments4,5,6.
Over 3,300 respondents across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands and Switzerland participated in the survey. The survey is the third instalment this year of ongoing research being conducted by Johnson & Johnson Vision to understand the impact of COVID-19 on contact lens wearers and changing patient needs.
About Johnson & Johnson Vision*
At Johnson & Johnson Vision*, part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health worldwide. Through our operating companies, we deliver innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error, cataracts, and dry eye. In communities with greatest need, we work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we are committed to helping people see better, connect better, live better. Visit us at jjvision.com, follow @JNJVision on Twitter, Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn, and @JNJVision on Facebook.
About Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies**
At Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we are helping people live their best lives. Building on more than a century of expertise, we tackle pressing healthcare challenges, and take bold steps that lead to new standards of care while improving people’s healthcare experiences. In surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions, we are helping to save lives and paving the way to a healthier future for everyone, everywhere.
©Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., 2021. All rights reserved.
*Johnson & Johnson Vision represents the products and services of Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the affiliates of both.
**The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopedics, vision, and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson’s Medical Devices segment
1. JJV Data on file 2021: Western Cluster Covid Tracker, Wave 3 fielded in July 2021. N=3313. Markets included France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
3. Lisa Ann Hill is Managing Director, Western Europe, Johnson & Johnson Vision
4. JJV data on file 2015, 1-week DW study, n=119 soft CL wearers, 81.5% rarely/never experienced eye fatigue.
5. JJV data on file 2016: “LACREON®, HYDRACLEAR® PLUS, HYDRACLEAR® 1 and HydraLuxe™ Tear Film technologies”
6. JJV Data on file 2013, 2014 & Online Survey of 1503 contact lens wearers 18-39 years of age in 5 countries US, UK, France, Germany and Japan in 2013.
