Alcon kicks off global contact lens awareness campaign

Alcon celebrates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Contact Lens Health Week with a global campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of contact lens wear. The campaign kicked off on the company’s social media channels where uplifting messages, including reasons to love contact lenses, lifestyle imagery, and everyday situations are being shared.

The campaign also reiterates the value of prescribing lenses for eyecare practitioners and encourages consumers to book appointments with their local eyecare practices when the practices re-open from COVID-19.

“The new ‘Reasons to Love Lenses’ social campaign is our way of injecting a little humor during stressful times, driving home the safety and benefit of contact lens wear and supporting the optometry community as they return to brilliance around the world,” says Andy Pawson, Alcon president.

The company recently conducted a survey designed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact lens usage, care, and consumer expectations post-pandemic. The survey, which was conducted by research firm MarketVision, polled 1,511 contact lens wearers from countries including Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and South Korea.

Key findings showed:

• 90 percent of contact lens wearers believe lenses enhance their lifestyles

• Contact lens wearers view their eyecare practitioner as a trusted authority when it comes to eye care and are open to ordering lenses through their practice

• 75 percent of wearers are open to talking about upgrading their current lens brand, and more than 70 percent of wearers are willing to pay more for an innovative lens

• Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed improved their contact lens hygiene habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. These improvements include being more diligent about washing their hands before applying or removing their contact lenses and changing their lenses as directed

Related: J&J celebrates contact lens health week with virtual tools