The Vision Council Report Finds 39% of Symptomatic U.S. Adults Skip Professional Eye Care

The Vision Council released "Focused inSights 2026," a report based on an April 2026 survey of 1,089 U.S. adults, revealing that 39% of respondents with eye strain or dry eye symptoms have never consulted a healthcare professional. The data indicates significant awareness gaps: 63% of participants had never heard of digital eye strain or knew only its name, while half reported similar unfamiliarity with dry eye disease. Despite this, eyecare providers remain the primary influence; 40% of respondents cited eye doctors as their top information source, and 38% identified doctor recommendations as the most critical factor when selecting treatment products. Kris Stevens, Vice President of Research at The Vision Council, emphasized that patients trust eye doctors more than other sources, suggesting that initiating conversations during existing exams is the key step to improving care access.