SPONSORED: The next innovation for our changing visual behaviour

Testing frequencies

Further results of the study showed one in five respondents acknowledged not having an eye text because of social distancing, but this wasn’t the main factor holding people back. Forty percent said eye tests were not a high enough priority and 38% said the potential expense was a deterrent, while just 2% said they weren’t having eye tests due to ceasing private health cover.

Interestingly, only 20% of the youngest age group (18-24) said potential expense was putting them off, while almost half (49%) of this age group said it wasn’t a high enough priority. Potential expense was, however, a popular deterrent for those aged 45-54, with 51% reporting it had held them back from getting tested.

Overall, 46% of respondents admitted they hadn’t had their eyes tested for more than two years, while 20% had a gap of two to four years, 18% more than four years, and the remaining 9% said they’d never had a test.

Wellbeing and the workplace

Working from home is arguably the most significant lifestyle change we’ve faced in 2020. To gain a greater understanding of how this is impacting us and our eye health, the ZEISS study also asked respondents to rank a list of environmental factors from most to least important. A quarter (24%) said ergonomics (desk and chair) was most important, 19% rated software/devices as number one, while 14% said music was key. Less than half (43%) ranked eye health as most important.

A smart solution for our changing lifestyle

In our always connected world, ZEISS SmartLife lenses help us to take on everything our eyes face today. When tested, nine out of 10 SmartLife wearers rated the quality of vision as positive, with 63% saying they felt they had less eye strain at the end of the day compared with previous lenses.

ZEISS Smart Dynamic Optics technology supports altering our gaze from very near to very far and includes a changed lens periphery for smoother and clearer vision during frequent changes in our head and eye posture as we toggle multiple devices, said Ms Fitzsimons. “We’ve done extensive research to create one of the most sophisticated products available. The ZEISS SmartLife portfolio is ground-breaking, having been compared to the invention of UV protective lenses.”

For more information about ZEISS SmartLife lenses, visit www.zeiss.com/smartlife. ZEISS SmartLife are now available across New Zealand.