Adults without vision coverage are twice as likely to skip an eye exam because of cost compared with those who have coverage, according to new research from the Alliance for Affordable Vision Care (AAVC).
The report, Keeping Vision Care Within Reach, examines how vision coverage influences access to care and affordability as well as consumer and employer perceptions of vision benefits.
The findings are based on surveys of 4,027 employed adults ages 21-64, including 3,027 with vision coverage and 1,000 without coverage as well as 201 benefits decision-makers at small and medium-sized employers. The AAVC commissioned the surveys, which were conducted in July and August 2026, while VSP Vision is a funder of the alliance.
Cost Is a Barrier to Care
Among uninsured adults who reported an unmet vision need but did not seek care, 84% cited cost as the main reason or a contributing factor. Meanwhile, 89% of consumers with coverage said affordability matters to them, and 78% considered vision coverage important to their overall financial standing.
The report also reinforced the connection between eye care and overall health, with 80% of consumers saying regular eye exams are important to maintaining overall health. Meanwhile, 67% recognized that exams can detect signs of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Employers and Consumers Value Coverage
Among employers surveyed, 90% reported satisfaction with the value of their vision benefits, and 74% rated their coverage as a good or excellent value relative to cost.
The research also examined concerns about potential policy changes affecting vision care affordability. Nearly three-quarters of consumers (74%) and 83% of employers said elected officials should prioritize keeping vision care affordable for working families.
Dr. Mary Anne Murphy, AAVC spokesperson, optometrist, and private practice owner for more than 20 years, says she has seen firsthand how vision coverage connects patients to the eye care they need while keeping costs within reach.
“The report shows that while consumers and employers may view vision care from different perspectives, they reach the same conclusion: Vision coverage works,” she says. “It helps keep care affordable and accessible, delivers real value to families and employers, and should be preserved.”