Vision care plans are anxious for employers to know thatemployees who have vision benefits take better care of theireyes.

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An analysis conducted by FocalCenter in June 2016, using dataderived from a 16-year consumer study, found that more than 87percent of Americans with a vision benefit intend to get an eyeexam within the next 12 months, whereas only 67 percent of thosewithout a vision benefit planned an exam within the sametimeframe.

In addition, once they have the exam, 67 percent of those with abenefit will get new eyewear, compared to only 34 percent of thosewithout a benefit.

Study respondents were surveyed regarding their eyewearpurchasing and wearing habits, including eye exams, prescriptionlenses, frames, contact lenses, exam/purchasing frequency, managedvision care and refractive surgery.

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“The top reason Americans without vision benefits do not get aneye exam or purchase prescription eyewear is cost,” Julian Roberts,executive director of the Louisville, Kentucky-based National Association of Vision Care Plans, saidin a statement.

Enrollment in vision benefits during the last five years hasrisen almost 20 percent; that means that more than 50 percent ofthe population now have vision benefits. In addition, utilizationreports collected by the association from the nation’s largestvision plans indicate that more than 8 out of 10 employers nowoffer a vision benefit as part of a standard benefit package.

The Alexandria, Virginia-based VisionCouncil reports that 75 percent of all patients who receive aneye exam are enrolled in a vision plan, indicating the stronginfluence vision benefits play in motivating Americans to seekregular vision care.

Optometric health experts point out that regular eye exams notonly find changes in vision, but make sure that patients’prescriptions are accurate. Employers should be aware that evensmall changes in vision can impact productivity, especially in aneconomy where the use of digital screens and other vision-dependenttasks are commonplace.

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But the benefits can go beyond eye care, since optometrists arealso in a position to catch early signs of eye disease and seriousmedical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol.Since Americans are four times more likely to get an eye exam thana physical, optometrists can alert patients sooner to health risksbeyond their vision.