Amid Growing Threats to Health Care Access and Affordability, New Research Finds Consumers and Employers Agree: Vision Coverage Helps Keep Care Affordable and Should Be Protected

ST. LOUIS, MO, October 20, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Today, the Alliance for Affordable Vision Care (AAVC) released a report based on survey findings revealing broad agreement among consumers and employers on the value of vision coverage and the importance of keeping vision care affordable and accessible.

The report, "Keeping Vision Care Within Reach," shows how vision coverage helps consumers manage costs and access needed care, while employers view it as an important benefit that supports employee health and well-being and strengthens the overall workforce benefits package. At the same time, both groups expressed concern about potential legislative changes that could increase costs or undermine the benefits people value today.

"The report shows that while consumers and employers may view vision care from different perspectives, they reach the same conclusion: Vision coverage works. It helps keep care affordable and accessible, delivers real value to families and employers, and should be preserved," said Dr. Mary Anne Murphy, AAVC spokesperson. "As an optometrist and private practice owner for more than 20 years, I have seen firsthand how critical vision coverage is to connecting patients to the eye care they need while keeping costs within reach."

Vision Coverage Delivers Value While Supporting Overall Health

Consumers point to savings and health benefits, while employers value vision coverage as a benefit that supports employee well-being and delivers strong value.

Key Findings:

• 90% of employers are satisfied with the value of vision benefits for employees.
• 74% of employers rate their vision coverage as a good or excellent value relative to cost.
• Overall, covered adults report high satisfaction across a spectrum of vision benefits offerings, including coverage meeting their needs (82%) and protection from full out-of-pocket costs (77%), suggesting that vision benefits deliver on what consumers value.
• 80% of consumers say regular eye exams are important to maintaining overall health, and 67% are aware that eye exams can detect signs of chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

When Vision Care Costs Rise, People Seek Less Care 

The report also highlights the important role affordability plays in whether people ultimately receive needed care. Cost remains a prominent barrier, particularly for adults without vision coverage.

Key Findings:

• 89% of consumers with coverage say affordability matters to them, and 78% say vision coverage is important to their overall financial standing.
• 84% of consumers without coverage who experienced an unmet vision need but did not seek care say cost was the main reason or a contributing factor.
• Adults without vision coverage are twice as likely to skip an eye exam altogether as those with coverage due to cost.

The report points to a simple truth: people do not stop needing vision care when costs rise. In many cases, they delay or go without it. When care is postponed, treatable conditions may go undetected until they become more serious, leading to worse outcomes for patients and increased health care costs.

Consumers and Employers Want Affordable Coverage Preserved

Findings demonstrate that both consumers and employers are concerned about potential legislative or public policy changes that could increase costs, reduce access, or weaken the value that vision coverage provides today.

Key Findings:

• 74% of consumers and 83% of employers say elected officials should prioritize keeping vision care affordable for working families.
• 60% of covered adults are concerned that policy changes could increase out-of-pocket costs or narrow provider choice.
• 56% of employers are concerned about policy changes that could increase their organization’s vision benefit costs.

"Employers of all sizes, along with their employees and families, are looking for ways to manage rising health care costs, and vision coverage is proving its value by helping keep care affordable and within reach," said Ruben Guerra, Board Chair of the Latin Business Association and AAVC member. "Yet legislation being considered in statehouses across the country puts affordability at risk for many. The research shows that consumers and employers alike recognize the value of vision coverage and do not want changes that could drive up costs or make care harder to access."

About the Report

"Keeping Vision Care Within Reach" is based on a consumer survey conducted online among 4,027 employed adults ages 21-64 enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance. The sample included 3,027 adults with vision coverage and 1,000 without vision coverage. The employer survey was conducted online among 201 benefits decision-makers at small and medium-sized employers that offer vision coverage. The sample included 100 respondents from businesses with 2-99 employees and 101 respondents from businesses with 100-999 employees. The surveys were conducted in July and August 2026 and commissioned by the Alliance for Affordable Vision Care, of which VSP Vision is a funder. The report, "Keeping Vision Care Within Reach," is available at affordablevisioncare.org/research.

About Alliance for Affordable Vision Care

The Alliance for Affordable Vision Care (AAVC) is a national coalition of organizations representing business, healthcare, labor, civic, and community interests dedicated to protecting access to affordable vision care for all Americans. The Alliance works to ensure that patients, employers, and families can make informed choices about their eye care, have access to strong provider networks, and advance health equity through preventive vision care. 

Media Contact

Patrick George
info@affordablevisioncare.org
+1 916-202-1982