Across the UK, workplaces are changing. People are living longer, healthier lives and many are choosing to stay in work for longer. In fact, workers aged 50 and over now make up around one third of the UK workforce, a proportion that has grown significantly over recent decades as life expectancy increases and retirement patterns shift.
With this shift come new opportunities and responsibilities for employers. Supporting an ageing workforce goes far beyond flexible hours or phased retirement. It means investing in health, wellbeing and productivity in ways that reflect the real needs of the employees. One area that often goes under the radar, yet has huge potential for impact, is managed vision care.
Why Managed Vision Care Matters
The value of experience, institutional knowledge and reliability that older employees bring to their roles is considerable. However, age can also bring changes in health, including eyesight. As people get older, they are more likely to develop eye conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts. Recent predictions suggest the number of people affected by these conditions is set to rise significantly over the next decade.
Alongside general ageing trends, new research has shown that many adults aged 50 and over already have undiagnosed vision impairments. In one UK pilot study, around a quarter of older adults surveyed had vision problems that were not previously identified, highlighting how easy it can be for sight issues to go undetected without proactive checks.
Vision is essential to most jobs. Whether it is reading documents, working with screens, driving for work, or focusing on detailed tasks, good eyesight underpins productivity and safety. So, it makes sense for employers to take a proactive approach to eye health through managed vision care.
The Role of Managed Vision Care in Workforce Support
Regular eye tests are more than a benefit. They are a preventative measure that can:
- Detect early vision changes: As we get older, small shifts in eyesight that begin subtly can affect performance and comfort at work. Early detection through regular eye tests means these changes can be managed effectively.
- Reveal underlying health issues: Eye examinations don’t just assess sight. They can also flag signs of broader health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, conditions that become more common with age.
- Reduce workplace stress and fatigue: Uncorrected vision problems can lead to headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, which in turn can impact morale, productivity and wellbeing.
Providing access to regular eye tests and follow-up care is a practical and visible way for employers to support healthy ageing in the workplace.
The Business Case for Managed Vision Care
Despite the clear benefits, many UK employers have yet to offer eye care as a comprehensive workplace benefit. Research suggests that two-thirds of employers do not provide eye care benefits to all staff.
At the same time, a large majority of employers recognise the value of eye care benefits once they are aware of them. One survey showed that 69% believe that eyecare benefits help look after and save the eyesight of staff aged over 40.
From a business perspective, eyecare plans and regular eye tests can help reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, support performance, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to employee wellbeing. For older workers in particular, knowing that their employer values their health can contribute to higher engagement and loyalty.
What Employers Can Do
Employers looking to support their ageing workforce should consider the following actions:
- Offer comprehensive eyecare plans as part of workplace benefits, rather than limiting support to statutory Display Screen Equipment (DSE) requirements.
- Encourage regular eye tests for all employees, especially those aged 50 and over, to help identify vision changes before they impact work.
- Communicate the value of eyecare benefits clearly and regularly so that staff understand how and why to take them up.
- Integrate vision care with wider wellbeing strategies, aligning eye health with mental wellbeing, physical health and productivity initiatives.
EyeMed UK’s Commitment to Vision Care
At EyeMed UK, we believe that good vision is fundamental to health, wellbeing and workplace performance. That is why we offer managed vision care designed to make regular eye tests and appropriate eyewear easy to access for employees of all ages.
Our eyecare plans allow employers to evidence their duty of care while supporting the health and happiness of their teams. By partnering with us, organisations can offer vision benefits that go beyond compliance, helping employees stay at their best in every stage of their careers.
The UK workforce is ageing, and employers have a critical role to play in supporting this demographic change. Investing in vision care through well-structured eyecare plans and regular eye tests is a practical and impactful way to help employees maintain their health, confidence and productivity as they age.
If your organisation is ready to support an ageing workforce with eye health at the heart of its wellbeing strategy, contact EyeMed UK to find out how our eyecare plans can make a difference.