Infosan Ophthalmology Hospital and Reveal Marketing Research Study: 6 out of 10 Romanian parents do not take their children for an annual eye examination – a significant warning sign for children’s eye health
Reveal Market Resources, study no. 174
- 46% of study participants reported visiting an ophthalmologist in the last year.
- 66% of Romanians plan to visit an ophthalmologist in the next 12 months.
- The primary reasons for eye exams are routine eye health checks (57%), decreased visual acuity (41%), and the need to adjust or replace glasses (26%).
- 6 out of 10 parents in the study plan to take their children for an eye examination in the coming year.
- Parents primarily took their children to the ophthalmologist to check normal vision development (52%), due to observed visual symptoms in the child (27%), or due to a family history of eye conditions (18%).
Bucharest, October 29, 2024: Recent data reveals an increasing trend among Romanians to prioritize eye health, with 66% of respondents indicating they intend to visit an ophthalmologist in the next 12 months. This heightened interest is particularly evident among those over 45 years old (76%) and urban residents (70%).
In this context, Reveal Marketing Research conducted a nationally representative study in collaboration with Infosan Ophthalmology Hospital to assess behaviors and intentions regarding ophthalmologist visits and eye health.
Current trends in ophthalmologist visits: youth and women are more proactive
Over the past 12 months, 46% of the study’s participants have visited an ophthalmologist. The findings show that young people and women are more attentive to their eye health.
Routine examinations and visual acuity problems are the primary reasons for ophthalmologist visits
According to the study by Infosan Ophthalmology Hospital and Reveal Marketing Research, more than half of the respondents who visited the ophthalmologist (57%) did so for routine eye health checks, a behaviour common among older adults and urban residents. Decreased visual acuity, manifesting as blurred or unclear vision, was the second most common reason, leading 41% of respondents to consult an eye specialist, while 1 in 4 respondents mentioned the need to adjust or replace glasses.
Annual budget allocated for eye health care
The study reveals that respondents allocate an average annual budget of 463 RON for ophthalmologist visits and optical correction. Notably, young patients are investing significantly in eye health.
“The study, conducted in partnership with Infosan Ophthalmology Hospital, highlights a growing concern for eye health among both adults and children, suggesting a rising trend in awareness of the importance of regular eye exams. It is encouraging to see both young people and mature adults investing in prevention and correction of vision issues. Additionally, the increased focus of parents on their children’s eye health signifies that eye health education is becoming a family priority,” stated Marius Luican, CEO of Reveal Marketing Research.
Only 40% of surveyed parents took their children for annual eye exams
4 in 10 parents who participated in the study reported taking their children to the ophthalmologist in the last 12 months, with an upward trend for the future: 59% of these parents plan to take their children for an eye exam in the coming year. The majority of parents who took their children to a specialist did so to ensure normal vision development (52%). Visual issues observed in the child (27%) and a family history of eye conditions (18%) were other reasons for these visits.
The study indicates that urban parents are more likely to take their children to the ophthalmologist. Additionally, parents of children under 12 show a higher intention to visit a specialist in the next 12 months.
“Early detection of potential vision problems is essential in the first years of life to ensure healthy development and proper school performance. It is encouraging to see that parents’ intention to bring their children for eye exams is increasing. However, the current rate of only 40% indicates a significant need for further information and awareness regarding the importance of these regular consultations. We recommend that parents consider an annual eye examination for their children, even if they do not show obvious symptoms. Prevention is the key to visual health, and regular visits to the ophthalmologist can make the difference between healthy vision and one that may require complex interventions in the future,” stated Dr. Andreea Ciubotaru, Medical Director of Infosan Hospital and Vice President of the Romanian Society of Strabology and Pediatric Ophthalmology.
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About Reveal Marketing Research
Reveal Marketing Research is a full-service market research company specializing in marketing research, sociological studies, customer insights, business strategy, and market development. With expertise across more than 20 industries, Reveal Marketing Research believes that market research is the foundation of correct decisions and brand positioning. For 16 years, qualitative and quantitative solutions have supported companies in Romania and across Europe.
Methodology: The Reveal Marketing Research study was conducted online between 04-10.10.2024 on a sample representative of individuals aged over 18, residing in both urban and rural areas, and internet users. The sample size was 1024 respondents, with a maximum sampling error of +/-3.1% at a 95% confidence level.
Reveal Market Resources study no. 174: Reveal Market Resources is a data hub of free research studies given to advertisers with the aim of supporting the marketing and communications market in Romania.
About Infosan Ophthalmology Hospital
Infosan is currently Romania’s only private pediatric ophthalmology hospital. Its mission is to eliminate preventable blindness and visual impairments through empathy, competence, and personalized patient care, enriching lives. Founded in 2002 by two doctors as a clinic, Infosan became a hospital in 2015. The facility has 35 medical professionals, with the capacity to treat 3,000 outpatients and 300 inpatients per month. It provides diagnostic, treatment, and care services for a wide range of eye conditions in children, such as myopia management, amblyopia, strabismus, congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity, as well as adult conditions including cataracts, strabismus, retinal diseases, and glaucoma. Over its 22 years of operation, more than 80,000 unique patients have been served. Infosan ended 2023 with a turnover of 4.5 million euros.