Results from a recent U.S. consumer study conducted on behalf of CareCredit are offering eye-opening insights into how financial concerns influence patients’ decisions in vision care.
And for eye care providers (ECPs), the findings also reveal opportunities—not to mention challenges—to discuss financial solutions and care recommendations with their patients.
First, let’s take a look at the sponsor behind this survey.
As a healthcare financing company and part of Synchrony Financial Services, CareCredit provides a credit card designed to pay for out-of-pocket (OOP) medical and wellness expenses.
- Usable at over 285K health-focused provider and retail locations, the card provides a financing option for treatments and procedures not generally covered by insurance, or for when insurance doesn’t cover the full amount.
- Click here to learn more.
And the survey in question?
The CareCredit Vision Industry Study was conducted by Synchrony July 15-22, 2025.
- The respondents: A total of 2,000 U.S. consumers (aged 18-75) from across the United States were surveyed via an online device-agnotic survey.
To note: An inclusion criteria for these consumers included those who make their own vision and eye care purchase decision as well as parents answering about their child(ren)’s eye care.
And among the key topics in question?
We’ll focus on four:
- Cost concerns
- Financing results
- Optometry (designer eyewear)
- Ophthalmology (LASIK)
Let’s take a deeper dive into each.
First up: cost concerns. Noted as a primary barrier to both care and upgrades, cost not only influences what a patient purchases but also whether they seek vision care at all.
Case in point: A total of 64% of respondents stated that cost strongly or somewhat impacts the frequency of visits to an optometrist—and that percentage rose even higher (78%) among Generation Z respondents.
And judging by their views on insurance, that’s not always the best solution, with:
- 54% reporting they still pay OOP for vision care (though 65% reported having vision insurance)
- 38% reporting they skip an annual eye exam due to insurance concerns
- 26% favoring a primary care physician visit over a vision care provider due to insurance covering more
And from a financing perspective?
Some patients (43%) are open to budget-friendly financing via a healthcare credit card—such as CareCredit—to finance vision care expenses, the survey found.
- However, only 7% of respondents indicated they actually use such a card. That equates to a nearly 6x gap.
- Moreover, nearly 8 out of 10 said they’d “seriously consider” such financing once OOP costs hit a certain number, with younger generations (Millennials and Gen Z) more likely to put serious consideration in financing lower amounts.
The takeaway: Aside from financing being a vastly underutilized option that’s hardly discussed between patients and providers—”willingness isn’t an issue,” the survey noted.
Interesting … so how can ECPs use this to their advantage?
We’ll start with optometrists, referred to as the “foundation where vision care begins—and grows.”When asked if they’ve ever seen an ECP, 94% of consumers reported seeing an optometrist.
- And in seeking optometry care, symptom management (58%), preventative measures (56%), and routine care (52%) were among the common reasons.
So what are they looking for?
It’s evident that patients aren’t limiting themselves to just prescriptions and eye exams.
The survey indicated a strong consumer interest in designer frames and premium lens upgrades, like smart glasses, with younger patients (Millennials and Gen Z) showing a higher preference for owning designer eyewear (36% and 33%, respectively).
- However: Despite their premium product favorings, these patients are often defaulting to lower-tier options due to cost and not being asked about financing options, the survey reported.
Is the same true for ophthalmology patients?
Even more so, particularly as patients typically see an ophthalmologist at “turning points” in their care: for referrals, diagnoses, or when decisions have been made.
- “They’re counting on you (the ECP) to fill in the rest: the options, the outcomes, and how to manage the cost,” the survey noted.
The reality check: 37% of respondents said their ECP had never presented them with financing options, while 22% recalled being offered a healthcare credit card.
The potential:
- 55% said they were more likely to choose a vision care provider who offers a variety of payment options
- 44% indicated a willingness to switch providers to access a more convenient payment option
- 43% were more likely to get vision care if payment could be made in installments
Talk about these shortfalls in ophthalmic practice.
In procedures like laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), it largely comes down to gaps in communication, cost concerns (59% rated this as their top reasoning), and low conversion.
While awareness is moderate (at 54%), some patients remain unsure about their eligibility (34%), and only a small percentage (8%) actually undergo the procedure—even among younger generations who show strong interest:
- 50% and 47% of Gen Z and Millennials, respectively, showed interest
- Just 5% of LASIK patients are Gen Z
And of those actually receiving the procedure: 64% of LASIK patients paid OOP, 26% used insurance, and just 9% used a healthcare credit card.
Tell me more.
Similar trends appear with premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), where overall awareness is low and discussions about upgrades or pricing typically only happen if initiated by an ECP.
- The numbers: 25%, 19%, and just 10% of respondents indicated an awareness of multifocal (MUF), light-adjustable (LAL), and toric lenses, respectively.
In other words: Patients won’t ask for what they don’t know.
So how can ECPs change this?
Four actionable approaches can help kick start the finance conversation with patients:
- Treat it as clinical guidance (not a sales pitch).
- Start the finance discussion before cost becomes a barrier.
- Utilize resources like signage, website copy, and intake forms to signal a preparedness for financial discussions.
- Click here for helpful tools to get started (see page 27).
- Encourage practice staff to bring up finance options.
- Discuss financing options at each visit.
Click here to read the full report.
And the bottom line?
Quite simply: Start the financing conversation early—and with all patients.
As CareCredit noted:
- “Financing isn’t a sales tactic; it’s a payment solution. When patients know how to budget for care, they can move forward—and practices capture revenue that might otherwise walk away.”