Why Vision Care Is So Important
According to a study by HCMS Group, employers offering standalone vision benefits saved $5.8 billion over four years. These cost savings resulted from the preventative nature of vision work. In regular, non-invasive eye exams, optometrists identified early signs of chronic diseases that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Take a look at the statistics:
- The nation’s price tag for vision problems, counting medical treatments and productivity losses, could reach $384 billion annually by 2032 and $717 billion by 2050, according to a study by Prevent Blindness, a Chicago-based eye health organization.
- 34% of new diabetes cases were first identified through a routine eye exam, saving $28,111 per 1,000 employees over four years.
- 39% of new high blood cases were first identified through a routine eye exam, saving $34,617 per 1,000 employees over four years.
- 63% of new high cholesterol cases were identified through a routine eye exam, saving $33,728 per 1,000 employees over four years.
In total, the study found that for every dollar a company invests in vision benefits, it receives $1.45 through lower healthcare costs, improved productivity and lower turnover rates.