World Sight Day: Why Vision Care Should Be a Key Component of Employee Benefits

October 10 is World Sight Day, a global event that raises awareness about blindness and vision impairment. Coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness under the VISION 2020 Global Initiative, World Sight Day highlights the importance of eye health and vision care.

Including vision care in your employee benefits can help improve productivity and cut down on absenteeism. Vision care benefits typically cover things like visits to optometrists, prescriptions and corrective procedures like laser eye surgery. Coverage can include eye exams, glasses, contacts and prescription sunglasses.

Growing Importance of Vision Health

About 285 million people worldwide live with low vision or blindness. The good news is that 80 per cent of these cases are preventable or treatable. Investing in sight restoration and blindness prevention is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health care.

In Canada, nearly 75 per cent of adults use some form of vision correction like glasses or contacts. The Vision Health Council also reports that over half of Canadians have faced vision issues that could affect their work.

When employees don’t have vision care coverage, they’re less likely to get the eye exams and corrective lenses they need. Vision care can be pricey – eye exams range from $75 to $250, and glasses or contacts can cost even more. Since vision loss often happens gradually, employees might not realize their sight is deteriorating, and without any coverage, they might skip getting an eye exam.

Eye exams can also uncover other health issues, like high blood pressure, heart disease or even cancer. Including vision care in benefits offerings can help encourage employees to get regular eye exams and the right lenses, which can prevent vision problems from affecting their work or leading to long-term health issues.

Including vision care in your benefits offerings can be smart for your bottom line. When employees have access to regular eye care, it can lead to fewer sick days and higher productivity. According to the 2024 Workplace Vision Health Report, about half of employees reported worsening eye health, largely due to increased screen time. Many of these employees also said their vision was affecting their job performance. Over half of those without vision benefits even thought about switching jobs to find a company that offers them. For Gen Z workers, who reported working more nights and weekends, the impact is greater, with 54 per cent reporting deteriorating eye health.

Best Practices for Offering Vision Benefits

When adding vision benefits to your offerings, consider these best practices:

• Offer Comprehensive Coverage: It’s helpful to offer vision benefits that cover more than just eye exams. Include prescription glasses, contact lenses, and if possible, treatments for specific eye conditions. This way, employees can meet vision needs without worrying about extra costs.
  
• Communicate Regularly: Keep employees in the loop about their vision benefits. Let them know what’s covered, how to use their benefits, and any changes to the plan. Clear communication helps them make the most of their benefits and avoids any confusion.
  
• Integrate with Other Benefits: Combine vision care with other health benefits, like dental and wellness programs, to create a comprehensive package that supports your team.

Exploring Health Care Spending Accounts (HCSAs)

Health Care Spending Accounts (HCSAs) are also a flexible option to include vision care in your employee benefits offerings. HCSAs let employees use pre-tax dollars for a variety of health expenses, including vision care. This means they can use their allocated funds for eye exams, glasses, contact lenses or other vision-related treatments. This gives employees the freedom to choose what they need most. With HCSAs, you set the contribution limit, and employees use the funds as they see fit.

Making Vision Care a Priority

If you’re considering changes or additions to your benefits offerings and would like to learn more about options for vision care, contact us today. We can support you in creating a benefits package that supports your organization and team’s needs.

Suggested Reading

Eye on Health: Why Employers Shouldn’t Lose Sight of Vision Care Benefits

Why Comprehensive Benefits are Key to Attracting Talent

Additional Resources

2024 Workplace Vision Health Report