FAIRPORT, N.Y.--A recent survey sponsored by CooperVision, a division of The Cooper Companies (NYSE: COO), indicates that 83 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and older are not aware of presbyopia as a vision condition.

“The lack of awareness around presbyopia is surprising--especially since more Americans than ever are developing the condition in light of the maturing Baby Boomer population,” said Doug Brayer, marketing manager for CooperVision. “So few Americans are aware of this vision condition that is bound to affect them, even if they’ve never worn glasses or contact lenses their whole lives.”

The survey also found that only 27 percent of respondents said they expect to need bifocals or reading glasses.

Because of the reality of presbyopia occurring in the population, “over the last few years, CooperVision has seen substantial growth in the multifocal contact lens segment,” Brayer noted.

The study was conducted from Feb. 8 to 12 on behalf of CooperVision, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,075 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older.