More than two-thirds (69%) of employer respondents believe providing an eyecare benefit for staff aged over 40 is relevant for helping to look after and save eyesight, according to research by Specsavers Corporate Eyecare.
Its survey of 1,007 employees and 502 employers also found that 52% of employer respondents believe that female employees over 40-years-old are most likely to take up eyecare benefits.
The research also found:
- 63% of employer respondents feel that a relevant benefit of eyecare for employees under the age of 40 is that it can help to reduce minor ailments, such as headaches and eyestrain, and 55% believe this to be the case for staff aged over 40.
- 69% of employer respondents think that eyecare is a relevant benefit for employees aged over 40 because it helps to detect and monitor more serious conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, compared to 40% that believe this is also a relevant benefit for staff under 40-years-old.
- 60% of employer respondents think that a benefit of providing eyecare for staff under 40 is that is helps to look after and save eyesight.
- 25% of employer respondents feel that women are more likely to take up eyecare benefits than men.
- 48% of employer respondents think employees over 40-years-old are the most likely to take up eyecare benefits, compared to 4% that believe employees under the age of 25 are the most likely to take up eyecare benefits.
Jim Lythgow (pictured), director of strategic alliances at Specsavers Corporate Eyecare, said: “It is interesting that employers recognise the much wider benefits of eyecare but relate these more to older employees than to those aged under 40. It is true that some eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, are more common in those over 40, but there are still many eye conditions that can create problems and even sight loss in people of all ages. Equally, the wider systemic health conditions that can be detected through eye examinations, like diabetes, cancers, multiple sclerosis and thyroid problems, can affect young and old alike.
“It is really important that employers continue to communicate the worth of eyecare to employees of all ages and both genders. A full eye examination does so much more than just check the ability to see clearly. Eyecare can often help with minor ailments like headaches and eyestrain, which may in turn help to improve the productivity of employees. It can also help to detect and monitor much more serious conditions of the eyes and the health in general, and may be a factor in an employee seeking treatment before a condition becomes more acute or even sight- or life-threatening.”
