OC residents aren’t ones to settle for inconvenience. Whether they’re upgrading their homes, spending money on wellness or health, or looking for ways to simplify life, locals will invest in things that make living here better and their vision is no exception. That’s why more and more people in Orange County are seriously considering vision correction surgery by asking themselves one question: Why am I still wearing glasses and contacts every day?
For years, glasses and contacts were just part of life. Today, technology and payment options are making better vision a real possibility for many so they can finally ditch their glasses.
Why Are Glasses and Contacts Starting to Feel Like MoreHassle Than They’re Worth?
It comes down to convenience. No one loves wiping down glasses in the morning or replacing contacts daily. And it’s easy to forget about the hassles until you’re staring at a computer screen all day and realize your eyes are tired. Or you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t see without turning on the lights.
OC locals are an active bunch. We surf, paddleboard, ride bikes, go hiking and enjoy the great outdoors year-round. Wearing corrective lenses can start to feel like a nuisance when you’re living an active lifestyle.
What was once normal, such as wearing glasses, is starting to feel like an annoyance more and more people are ready to not deal with. Contacts dry out on long beach days. Glasses aren’t always the most comfortable option for exercising or being outside.
Has Vision Correction Become More Mainstream?
Yes! Just a few years ago it felt like vision correction was something only celebrities, athletes, and wealthy people talked about. Today, anyone can learn more about their options.
Technology has advanced to allow doctors to create more precise and personalized treatments. And more people are talking about it, removing the mystery.
Consumers view laser eye surgery much like they would orthodontics, whitening, or any other investment that improves their quality of life. It’s not necessarily a luxury. It’s about convenience and value.
Why Are Millennials and Members of Generation Z Leading the Charge?
Millennials and Gen Z care about purchases differently than past generations.
Instead of just considering the initial price, they look at value and recurring costs. Are there monthly fees? Will this purchase save me time? Will this make my life better?
When you start adding up how much you spend on glasses, replacement lenses, contacts solution, annual eye exams, prescription sunglasses and ruined frames throughout your lifetime, the cost of vision correction doesn’t seem so luxurious. It starts to make sense as an investment.
Especially when you consider the alternative. Do you want to keep spending money every few years for glasses and contacts? Or would you rather pay once and not have to worry about it again?
Is Orange County’s Activity-Focused Lifestyle Contributing to the Trend?
You bet, Orange county is a strong activity focused region. When you live in Orange County, you spend a lot of time outside. Running on the beach, golfing, surfing, hiking local trails, or soaking up sunshine are just a few of the favorite ways to spend free time in Orange County.
Glasses fog up, slide down your nose, get scratched, break. Contacts can irritate your eyes on long days outside.
If you lead an active lifestyle, telling yourself you can see perfectly clearly every morning is pretty appealing.
What Role Is Vision Technology Playing?
Massive role. Vision correction isn’t what it used to be. Not only are procedures and technology more advanced, many treatments are customized to your specific needs. Doctors can create treatments that are tailored to each patient’s eyes.
And if you never thought you were a candidate in the past, there may be more options available to you now. Technology is always improving, allowing doctors to help more people than ever before.
Increased access to information is also giving consumers more confidence.
Is Cost Preventing People from Learning More?
For a lot of people. The upfront cost of laser eye surgery can seem intimidating. We all have bills and financial responsibilities, and vision correction isn’t typically considered a necessity.
That doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. It just means they need better payment options.
Fortunately, there have been improvements on that front as well…
Are Monthly Payment Options Helping People Take the Next Step?
One of the biggest changes in recent years to whether or not someone wears eyeglasses or contacts has been access to financing for vision correction and other medical procedures.
Patients have the option to pay over time with monthly payment plans, rather than paying the full amount upfront. Medical vision financing is just one of many services making procedures more accessible by providing patients with payment options that fit their budget. Lenders like Care Credit, and Synchrony Bank all provide vision financing options.
Think about the difference between asking “can I afford this?” to “does this fit in my monthly budget?”
Once that financial barrier is eliminated, many people decide it’s finally time to tackle a procedure they’ve been considering for years.
Why Are Consumers Viewing Vision Correction As a Lifestyle Investment?
Think about the day-to-day benefits most patients experience after vision correction:
You don’t have to pack an extra pair of glasses when you travel. You can workout without worrying about your contacts drying out. You wake up in the middle of the night and can see who’s snuggling up next to you.
Better vision doesn’t change your life. But it does change many of the small things we do every day for the better.
As people learn more about the lifestyle benefits of vision correction, they’re weighing those against the cost.
Are People Researching Their Options Before Making a Decision?
You bet they are. Consumers have access to more information than ever before. And most will research a procedure from multiple angles before signing up for anything.
Potential patients want to know what to expect. They read reviews from previous patients. Many want to understand the technology they’ll be working with. And of course, everyone wants to know how much it will cost.
Healthcare consumers are more informed, and they expect healthcare providers to be just as transparent as any other business they interact with.
As Millennials and members of Generation Z enter their purchasing prime, this trend will only continue to grow.
Could Better Vision Be the Next Wellness Trend?
In the past decade, we’ve seen wellness evolve to include more than just diet and exercise. Sleep quality, mental health, preventive care, fitness technology and personalized healthcare solutions are all part of the modern wellness trend.
Vision falls right into that category. There are so many aspects of daily life that can be improved by better vision, from productivity and recreational hobbies to comfort and confidence.
So will more people in Orange County be cutting ties with glasses and contacts? Likelihood is, yes.
And here’s why…
OC residents have more information at their fingertips than ever before. Technology has advanced, making more treatments available to more people. And monthly payment options have removed the financial barrier that held people back in years past.
But most of all, people are starting to change how they view vision correction. Instead of thinking of it as an expensive elective procedure, more and more consumers view vision correction as an investment in their daily life.
If you’re active, spend time outside, or are tired of dealing with glasses and contacts, it’s easy to see why so many people are deciding to explore their vision correction options.
