CooperVision survey on contact lens use

1.2 billion one-day contact lenses are sold every year in Europe. In the United Kingdom alone, sales account for 33 % of that figure. But research carried out by CooperVision, the world's third largest producer of contact lenses, shows that British contact lens wearers only occasionally use one-day lenses, a choice probably dictated by a variety of requirements, but which represents a key difference between the British market and that of the rest of Europe.

The research on a sample of over 2000 contact lens wearers throughout Europe* showed that in the United Kingdom, one-day lenses are worn by only 20% of users. Disposable lenses are used every day by an average of 40 % of wearers in the research participating countries (52 % in Spain and 68 % in The Netherlands).

Commenting on these figures, CooperVision EMEA Marketing Director Stuart Cockerill said: 'This high number of occasional users is motivating the British market. Europe has immense potential for copying this attitude, because increasing the quantity of occasional wearers to levels similar to those in the UK would make one-day lenses, and possibly contact lenses, available to many more users.'

These results also mirror the continued importance of comfort (or lack of it); for 40% of the interviewees it is the main reason for not wearing one-day lenses, while 32% stated that cost was one of the main factors. 42% stated that comfort should be improved.
A market study carried out on Frequency 1 Day lenses in the new individual blisters showed that 30% of wearers stated that these lenses are more comfortable than their previous lenses, a fact confirmed by almost 60% of those who wear them more frequently.

Stuart Cockerill concluded: 'Our research is one of the clearest overviews of the needs of European contact lens wearers and, at the same time, highlights possible growth areas.'