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A neglected problem: eye fatigue
More than 1/3 of Italians (37%) answer that their eyes often get tired, while only 27% state that they have never had problems on this account.
Despite this, only 9% has considered specific protective lenses. The criteria when choosing eyewear seem to be above all “lightness” and “design” (respectively 26% and 24%). The general impression we receive is that eye fatigue is not considered a pathological problem, but more a natural phenomenon which is dealt with generically by resting.
Poorly informed consumers
On the subject of lenses, however, 26% do not know what lenses their eyewear have, 23% are aware of AR coatings, 10% of the fact that lenses may be plastic and only 6% know about photochromic lenses.
When separating men and women, lens lightness is important for both, while AR seems more important for men, and infrangibility for women. Lightness is however the most determining objective feature for overall choice of eyewear (frame + lens) and is underlined by 26% of interviewees; the advice of experts -ophthalmologists (39%) or optician/optometrists (26%) is also important. The other criteria guiding choice are design (24%), which counts more than price (19%), while infrangibility is down to 13%.
Fashion as a reason for purchase
Fashion seems to be an impetus mainly guiding the choice of a frame but not that of eyewear as a whole. There is therefore a need to constantly inform consumers and also sensitize them on aspects more connected to eye protection and health, such as the adoption of suitable lenses to individual needs and lifestyles.
Little is done to protect children
As far as children are concerned, most parents (66%) state that they protect their children’s eyes (49% in the 5-8 age group; 52% in the 9-13 age group). Lastly, 17% of parents do not adopt any measures to protect the eyesight of their children. In reality, it seems that as long as they are young -i.e. more or less until they are 13 – the best protection against UVA rays is a hat!
More information, more education to prevention and protection
As already emerged in Phase 1, the research study carried out by IPSOS for Transitions Optical highlighted a fairly superficial attention by the Italian public to problems linked to eyesight, an inadequate adoption of measures to protect it and, even more, an endemic lack of information and “culture of visual wellbeing”.
This sounds like a pressing invitation to the industry, trade association and eye specialists – oculists and optician-optometrists first of all – to strengthen their commitment toward greater information, sensitization and education of the public on such crucial issues for the lives of all.

Found in Vedere International 2008

Eyesight is an inestimable, precious asset. And yet, Italians do not seem to be aware of it and, above all, be particularly careful about protecting their eyes. Transitions Optical made a research interviewing 1000 persons on the phone.
In Italy there has been a growing awareness of the importance of health and physical fitness to ensure a high quality of life. This trend does not seem to have involved the eyes and sight, as it is demonstrated by a research study carried out by IPSOS Health for Transitions Optical, a world leader in photochromic lenses. The international study, conducted in successive phases, each of which dealing with specific themes, at this stage involved four European Countries: Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
In Italy the results show that around 48% of the population, i.e. 5 Italians in 10, wears spectacles or contact lenses, an important datum although 41% of the interviewees state that they have no problems with eyesight. Those who mention them place myopia in first place (31%), followed by astigmatism (14%) and, in third place, presbyopia (9%). The first part of the research (published in May 2007) also revealed the lack of concern for the effect of solar rays on the eyes. Consequently, the study underlined that as many as 16% of the interviewees do not use any protection or aid to protect their eyes during exposure to the sun. Moreover, a worrying 37% had expressed the erroneous conviction that damage to the eyes is reversible.
Let’s concentrate on the second stage of the study, made public last October.
Eyesight protection is in third place. Only 39% of Italians (36% men and 42% women) consider that maintaining the efficiency of their eyesight is considered halfway between the very important and the unimportant ones, thus revealing a worrying situation of lack of information and sensitivity to the problem.
There is a surprising persistence of certain prejudices concerning eyesight in the minds of the Italians. For example, 7 Italians out of 10 are ignorant of the fact that as much as 80% of the quantities of UVA rays we are exposed to during our lives takes place before the age of 18, or as many as 62% of Italians consider that people with dark eyes have fewer problems regarding exposure to sunlight! Just out of curiosity, we may add that 20% of Italians think that sunglasses may “damage” the eyes, a fact that probably has to do with many low-cost products, without warranty brands, purchased in the street, on stalls or the beach.

Found in Vedere International 2008