Helping Canadians See Clearly After 40

World Sight Day Puts Presbyopia in Focus

TORONTO, Oct. 3, 2017 /CNW/ - World Sight Day is October 12, 2017 and Alcon Canada is putting the battle against blurry vision in the spotlight. From reading menus in dimly lit restaurants to the fine print on a smartphone, many aging Canadians struggle with their vision every day – and could be experiencing presbyopia, the gradual loss of the eye's ability to actively focus on close objects.

"Changes in vision can be gradual and are a natural part of aging.  It's often not until your arms aren't long enough that you realize your vision is different," says Dr. Pavan Avinashi, Doctor of Optometry at the Hollyburn Eye Clinic. "What most people don't know is that while presbyopia is a common condition that will affect nearly all of us as we age, we don't have to suffer with burdensome reading glasses.  It's important to schedule an annual visit to your optometrist and whenever you experience a change in your vision."

Most common amongst Canadians over the age of 40, there are over 7.5 million Canadians who could have presbyopia¹. Worldwide, nearly 1.7 billion people have been diagnosed with presbyopia – a number expected to grow over 20 percent in the next three years.²

The first signs of presbyopia are eye strain, difficulty seeing in dim light and problems focusing on small objects and fine print found on items such as smart phones, computers, books and menus.

The accompanying video illustrates how vision changes as we age and the biological explanation for presbyopia.   

"Like many parents, I'm constantly looking down at my phone or computer, and up again to see what my kids are doing," says Kathy Buckworth, award-winning parenting author and television personality. "After struggling with my near and distance vision, I have finally found a contact lens that I can put in the morning and take out 10 hours later that feels like nothing and lets me see it all so I can stay on top of my day-to-day tasks. The best part is, I don't have to subject myself to the derision of my children as they read labels out loud to me."

New advances in eye care technology are now allowing people with presbyopia to lose their reading glasses – ALCON® multifocal contact lenses accommodate a range of visual requirements and are an effective option for correcting vision in people with presbyopia.an effective option for correcting vision in people with presbyopia.

While many Canadians reach for reading glasses, 30 percent of aging Canadians would rather wear contact lenses, according to the Age of Perception Impact Study. Conducted by Leger, The Research Intelligence Group, in collaboration with Alcon Canada, the global leader in eye care and a division of Novartis, the study also revealed that 16 percent of those surveyed would rather squint than wear reading glasses.³

Diminishing vision is something that will happen to nearly all Canadians, but eye health is not always top of mind. With World Sight Day, Canadians are being encouraged to take a closer look at their vision needs.

"Everyone's eyes are unique and an optometrist will check them to match each patient with the right solution. That could mean finding the right reading glasses, progressive spectacles or multifocal contact lenses," says Avinashi. "There are so many new advances in eye care technology – the solution is tailored to meet the needs of the aging eye without compromising comfort."

To learn more about how ALCON® multifocal contact lenses can help Canadians SEE and BE in the moment, presbyopia sufferers are encouraged to talk to their eye care professional to receive a comprehensive eye exam and visit www.LoseYourReaders.ca.

About ALCON® Multifocal Contact Lenses

ALCON® multifocal contact lenses provide vision correction for presbyopes, with the unique Precision Profile™ design allowing for clear, seamless vision at all distances, near through far. ALCON® multifocal contact lenses are available in daily disposable and monthly wear options to correct the vision of people with myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia. For more information about ALCON® multifocal contact lenses, visit: www.LoseYourReaders.ca.  

Survey Methodology

Leger, The Research Intelligence Group, surveyed 1002 Canadians, aged 38-54, between October 26 and November 4, 2015 using Leger's online panel, LegerWeb.  A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20. Leger's online panel has approximately 460,000 members nationally – with between 10,000 and 20,000 new members added each month, and a retention rate of 90%. Panel members were randomly selected to receive an email invitation to the survey.   Additionally, 14 thirty minute in-person interviews were conducted by Leger over the course of two days.  All participants ranted between the ages of 35-54 years old and were divided by gender.   Elements of the interview were more quantitative in nature.

About Alcon

Alcon, the global leader in eye care, provides innovative products that enhance quality of life by helping people worldwide see better. Alcon Surgical and Vision Care business franchises offer the widest spectrum of eye care products in the world. Alcon is the second largest division of the Novartis Group, with sales of USD 6 billion in 2016. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, Alcon has operations in 75 countries and products available in 180 markets. For more information, visit www.alcon.ca.

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¹ Statistics Canada, 2016.
² Alcon Press Release August 8th, 2013. Nearly 11 Million People in the United States Have Eye Condition Known as Presbyopia; That Number Expected to Continue to Grow.  Accessed August 21^st, 2017 from https://www.alcon.com/news/media-releases/nearly-11-million-people-united-states-have-eye-condition-known-presbyopia
³Age Impact Perception, Qualitative Research Report, 2015.  This survey was conducted online by Leger, The Research Intelligence Group, on behalf of Alcon Vison Care from October 26 until November 4, 2015, among 1,002 Canadians age 38 through 54, using Leger's online panel LegerWeb. A probability sample of the same size would yield a margin of error +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

SOURCE Alcon Canada