Mister Spex publishes Eye Health Report 2026: Nearly one in four people have undetected eye problems

Mister Spex publishes Eye Health Report 2026: Nearly one in four people have undetected eye problems

• Hidden risk: 24% of participants who report having no symptoms show abnormalities requiring further evaluation during screening

• Age-related risk: 57% of people aged 60 and over have undetected eye problems despite reporting no symptoms

• Preventive care gap: 80% had not had an eye check-up for more than two years

• Family history as a real risk factor: One in ten participants with a pre-existing risk shows early signs of glaucoma or retinopathy

• Screen generation: Among participants reporting screen-related symptoms such as burning eyes or blurred vision, only about one in four shows clinical abnormalities in the screening

Mister Spex, one of Germany's leading optical retailers, today published its Eye Health Report 2026. The report is based on the analysis of 3,412 professional eye screenings conducted across Germany in cooperation with Skleo Health. The findings reveal that nearly one quarter (24%) of people who reported no subjective eye complaints showed abnormalities requiring further clinical assessment during the screening process. This discrepancy between subjective perception and objective findings is particularly pronounced among people aged 60 and older.

Although 82% of participants stated prior to screening that they had no eye-related complaints, abnormalities were detected in over 24% of this group. These ranged from reduced visual acuity (visual acuity between 0.1 and 0.8) and early retinal changes to possible indications of glaucoma.

Clear age and preventive care effects

The report highlights a clear age gradient: while 15% of symptom-free participants aged 18 to 40 showed abnormalities, this figure rose to 26% among those aged 41 to 60 and reached 57% among participants over the age of 60. At the same time, the analysis shows that around 80% of respondents had not undergone an ophthalmic check-up for more than two years, with the lowest proportion observed among those aged 18 to 40.

Overall, 17% of all participants had at least one organic abnormality. This share increased from 8% among younger participants to 45% among those over 60. The most frequently detected findings were reduced visual acuity (29%), suspected glaucoma (14%) and drusen (13%). Among participants with a family history of glaucoma or diabetes, 10% already showed corresponding abnormalities, with higher rates observed among men.

Importance of regular preventive care

The analysis of participants under the age of 40 offers notable insights into the frequently discussed "screen generation": 17% reported subjective complaints such as burning eyes or blurred vision. However, only around one in four of these participants showed an organic abnormality in the screening. While no direct causal relationship can be established, the data suggests that most of these symptoms are likely attributable to functional or temporary factors, such as prolonged screen use or dry eyes, rather than structural changes.

The findings of the Eye Health Report 2026 underscore the importance of regular eye health checks at opticians and routine examinations by ophthalmologists, even in the absence of symptoms. Continuous preventive care is particularly crucial for older individuals and for those with a family-related risk profile. At the same time, the report shows that low-threshold early-detection offers can play an important complementary role, especially when access to ophthalmology appointments is limited.

The full Eye Health Report 2026 is available here: https://www.misterspex.de/augengesundheits-report-2026

Please note: The Eye Health Report 2026 is available in German only.

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Mister Spex Corporate Communication [email protected]

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