The employee benefits landscape is in a volatile state as costs continue to rise — medical charges in 2026 may increase as much as 9%, and that follows an 8.5% increase in 2025.[1] Yet robust benefits packages are vital to employee well-being, and employers need to invest in benefits that drive better outcomes for their employees and their organization. As HR professionals know, high-quality benefits improve employee health, productivity and loyalty.
A crucial component of these benefits packages is vision care. New research from VSP® Vision Care reveals that more people every year experience eye and vision issues that affect productivity at work and their overall well-being. As a result, employees are understandably placing greater importance on vision benefits through their employer.
“Vision benefits create meaningful value on multiple levels — both for the members who rely on them and for the organizations that depend on a healthy, productive workforce,” says Katy Gozalka, PhD, CEO of the Heartland Health & Wellness Fund. “For members, these benefits support early detection of health issues and help reduce discomfort and fatigue. For employers, this translates into lower long-term healthcare costs, stronger workforce retention, and higher productivity across the board.”
Let’s explore how and why vision benefits create a healthier workforce and deliver business results for the employers who understand the value of vision care:
Better recruiting and retention with vision benefits
Economic uncertainty and rising costs are putting pressure on employees, and dissatisfaction at work is running high. According to recent Gallup data, half (51%) of employees are actively looking for a new job, and only 31% of employees say they’re engaged at work — the lowest level in a decade.[2]
Pay and benefits are central to employee satisfaction, with just over half (53%) of Gallup respondents citing benefits as part of their reason for taking another job.[3] Employers must therefore evaluate their benefits packages and provide well-rounded healthcare coverage that includes vision care.
In fact, the report from VSP found that 32% of employees are seriously considering finding a job with better vision benefits. Nearly all respondents (94%) said vision benefits were important to them, and 78% would be more likely to take a job that offers vision coverage.
This data demonstrates the value of vision benefits for attracting and retaining employees. At a time when employees are struggling with higher costs, particularly for healthcare, and are increasingly disengaged at work, robust benefits including vision coverage are a tangible way for employers to show they care about their employees’ well-being. The concerning increase in eye health issues makes this more important than ever.
Vision care is key to employee health
Two-thirds (66%) of employees reported at least one eye issue in the latest VSP report, a figure that has risen for three consecutive years. Increased screen time is a major factor — desk workers clocked over 99 hours of screen time per week, but non-desk workers also reported over 87 hours per week.
There are additional factors that contribute to declining eye health, such as following inaccurate eye care information obtained online and seasonal discomfort from allergies or weather conditions (like dry winter air or bright summer sun). All of these issues make it important to provide vision benefits for employees to get the care they need with comprehensive eye exams.[4]
Eye exams go far beyond helping patients see clearly. In addition to addressing vision correction needs and providing recommendations to help relieve the headaches, fatigue and other symptoms that accompany vision issues, an eye doctor can detect signs of more than 270 health conditions during a comprehensive eye exam.
“An eye exam provides an opportunity for an optometrist to not only help an employee see their best, but to also serve as one of the most cost-effective, least invasive ways to catch signs of systemic conditions — often before symptoms appear,“ says Dr. Valerie Sheety-Pilon, Senior Vice President of Clinical and Medical Affairs at VSP Vision Care. “Just think about that — an eye exam is a low barrier to entry into the healthcare system that can lead to earlier detection and better health outcomes.”
During a comprehensive eye exam, optometrists can identify eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. They can also detect signs of autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular conditions and even some cancers, among other health issues. Identifying any of the chronic conditions that eye exams can spot enables employees to address them faster, before their overall health and well-being are further affected.
Vision benefits drive better business outcomes
Employees’ eye health is clearly important for their overall health, which means eye health has benefits for organizations, too. According to the latest VSP report, 75% of employees said eye issues regularly impact their productivity at work. Screen-related eye strain directly led to over seven lost hours of productivity per week and 4.5 missed workdays each year.
Better eye health improves productivity and addresses absenteeism for desk and non-desk workers alike. “Whether you’re in front of a screen or on an assembly line, promoting eye health is essential, not only for early detection of broader health issues, but also for reducing fatigue and eye strain,” Gozalka says. “And when you’re taking care of your overall health, you’re better able to stay focused, safe and productive throughout the day.”
Identifying health conditions earlier also reduces healthcare costs for both employers and employees. Lowering the chance of ER visits or hospitalizations is crucial. Addressing conditions like cardiovascular problems before more intensive interventions are needed reduces financial burdens while supporting better well-being.
As Gozalka notes, “Supporting eye health is ultimately about supporting the whole person.”
Investing today in tomorrow’s success
From more screen time to seasonal disruptors, there are many factors leading to employees’ worsening eye health. As organizations grapple with disengagement and absenteeism, it’s important to understand the role of vision benefits for employee well-being.
Supporting eye health can attract new employees and improve the productivity of current ones. Vision benefits can identify eye and other health conditions earlier, which drives better health outcomes and lower costs. Vision benefits are therefore a powerful way to make an organization stand out as an employer of choice, and they support a healthier, happier workforce for lasting success in any industry.
Read more from VSP about their vision benefits solutions for your organization.
[1] https://www.hubinternational.com/en/insights/outlook/2026/employee-benefits-and-retirement/; https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/behind-the-numbers.html#the-high-cost
