A new study conducted by CIBA Vision, the leading researcher, developer and manufacturer of optical products and services globally, found that eye health is not taken seriously by nearly two thirds of the population. Thirty nine per cent of respondents admitted to only going for an eye test when they felt they needed to; a further 14 per cent only arrange to go once every three years and a worrying 10 per cent have been just once in their life.
Of those who do go for eye tests only 29 per cent have been going regularly since childhood highlighting high levels of apathy about the importance of taking steps to protect their eyes. In addition, 35 per cent of people admitted they waited until their eyes were hurting before they went for an eye test.
This apathetic approach to eye health could lead to problems in the future. “Eyes don’t usually let you know that something is wrong,” explained Helmer Schweizer, Head of Professional Services for Emerging Markets, CIBA Vision. “While these statistics are revealing, it is easy to address these levels of apathy by making an appointment with an eye care specialist. Changes in vision are usually gradual, so regular eye exams are important because they detect problems that can be treated quickly before it affects vision.”
“Vision can be corrected by wearing spectacles or contact lenses, or by undergoing refractive surgery. Spectacles are the simplest of remedies, and while refractive surgery is proving to be efficacious, it carries the risks of elective surgery. Contact lenses are more effective than glasses, because the lens rests directly on the eye, and are less invasive than surgery. Our research showed that women were two times more likely than men to postpone eye exams until they experienced marked deterioration in vision or pain in their eyes. We believe these results validate a common assumption that women shun eye exams because of their reluctance to wear spectacles. Contact lenses solve the aesthetic problems of glasses, and are well suited to the climate in the Gulf as they do not steam up and give the wearer the freedom to wear any type of sunglasses.”
To help communicate the importance of proactive eye health and help to raise the levels of awareness on the need to adopt a different attitude to eye health, CIBA Vision will be conducting a consumer education tour throughout the GCC, starting with the UAE in November 2006. These will be taking place in a selection of universities as well as Knowledge Village and Dubai Internet City.
About CIBA Vision
With worldwide headquarters in Atlanta, CIBA Vision is a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of optical products and services, including contact lenses and lens care products. CIBA Vision products are available in more than 70 countries. For more information, visit the CIBA Vision web site at www.cibavision.com.
CIBA Vision is the eye care unit of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS), a world leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure disease and improve well-being. Our goal is to discover, develop and successfully market innovative products to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the quality of life. Novartis is the only company with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals; high-quality, low-cost generics; human vaccines and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2005, the Group’s business achieved net sales of USD 32.2 billion and net income of USD 6.1 billion. Group companies employees approximately 96,000 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For more information, please visit http://www.novartis.com.
