Insights into patients’ presbyopic lives

A recent survey for Johnson & Johnson Vision uncovered a significant gap in how middle-aged Australians understand and manage presbyopia. It found the condition is often overlooked or under-treated, presenting a clear opportunity for optometrists to lead the conversation and improve patient outcomes, JJ Vision said.

Only 68% of Australians aged 40–55 said they were familiar with the condition – far below the Asia-Pacific average of 90%. While 78% indicated they feel the impact of age-related vision changes, nearly half (47%) hadn’t yet taken steps to correct it. Many believed their symptoms were too minor to warrant action, with cost highlighted by a third of respondents as a significant deterrent to seeking treatment.

Nine in 10 Australians in this age group said they were struggling with at least one symptom and 65% indicated those changes interfere with their daily routines. Whether it’s reading, working, or enjoying leisure activities, 36% of respondents indicated their vision problems affect both their professional and personal lives. Despite this, only 53% were actively managing the condition.

Rather than seeking professional help, many said they rely on temporary fixes to cope with presbyopia. Common approaches included enlarging text on their phones (46%), taking photos to zoom in (38%), using torch lights (35%) and stretching their arms to read (32%).

Glasses were cited as the primary vision correction offered; however, they were not always embraced or welcomed, according to the survey. More than half of occasional glasses users (56%) wished they didn’t need them and 22% indicated wearing glasses makes them feel less confident. More than half (52%) said they would consider multifocal contact lenses if recommended by a professional.

This data present a strong call to action for optometrists, JJ Vision said: “These habits reflect a clear gap in awareness and access to proper vision care and a chance for optometrists to offer more effective, lasting solutions. Routine eye exams are an ideal moment to educate patients about presbyopia, correct misconceptions and introduce suitable solutions.”

The survey was conducted by Edelman Data & Intelligence for Acuvue in February 2025, with a sample of 2,500 adults aged 40–55 across Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, with 500 respondents per market.