Johnson & Johnson and Naomi Watts Urge Women Over 40 to Embrace Eye Exams as a Foundational Act of Self-Care
Johnson & Johnson Vision—a global leader in eye health—has joined forces with Academy Award–nominated actress, producer, entrepreneur, and women’s health advocate Naomi Watts. Together, they are launching a powerful campaign to position the annual eye exam not merely as a medical necessity, but as a vital, empowering act of self-care for women over 40. At a time when holistic wellness is more prominent than ever, this collaboration shines a spotlight on a frequently overlooked aspect of healthy aging: vision health.
The Invisible Shift: How Aging and Hormones Affect Vision
As women enter their 40s and beyond, their bodies undergo significant hormonal changes, particularly as they approach and experience perimenopause and menopause. While many are familiar with symptoms like hot flashes or mood fluctuations, fewer recognize that these hormonal shifts also impact vision. Dry eyes, difficulty focusing on close-up text, increased light sensitivity, and even changes in eye shape can all be linked to declining estrogen and other hormonal fluctuations.
Yet, despite the profound effect these changes can have on daily life, eye health remains curiously absent from mainstream conversations about aging and self-care. A recent global survey commissioned by Johnson & Johnson Vision reveals a striking disconnect: while 82% of Americans say clear vision is essential to feeling confident and youthful, nearly half (48%) of those over 40 who believe they need vision correction have not seen an eye care professional in the past year.
This gap underscores a larger cultural blind spot. In an era where the anti-aging industry—valued at $59.7 billion—focuses overwhelmingly on skin, cosmetics, and external appearance, vision is consistently undervalued, even though it ranks higher in personal priority than skin health for many. Indeed, 56% of global respondents aged 40 to 70 said they value clear vision over physical appearance. And yet, only 70% are aware that a comprehensive eye exam can reveal systemic health issues ranging from diabetes to early signs of stroke.
Vision Conditions That Emerge After 40
Two of the most common age-related vision conditions—presbyopia and cataracts—are both highly treatable but often go undiagnosed due to lack of regular eye care.
Presbyopia, which typically begins around age 40, affects more than 1 billion people worldwide. It occurs when the eye’s lens loses flexibility, making it difficult to focus on near objects—like books, smartphones, or fine print on labels. Many people first notice it when they start holding menus at arm’s length. Though easily corrected with reading glasses, multifocal contact lenses, or refractive surgery, presbyopia is often dismissed as an inevitable nuisance rather than a signal to seek professional care.
Cataracts, on the other hand, represent a more serious threat. As the leading cause of preventable blindness globally, cataracts develop when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred or dimmed vision. While most common in older adults, they can begin forming in the 40s and 50s. The good news? Cataracts are treatable with minimally invasive surgery, and early detection through routine eye exams can prevent significant vision loss.
But an eye exam does far more than assess visual acuity. In fact, a comprehensive dilated eye exam can detect signs of over 270 systemic health conditions—including high blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, certain cancers, and even neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s. The eyes, often called “windows to the body,” offer clinicians a rare, non-invasive view of blood vessels, nerves, and tissues that can reveal early warning signs long before symptoms appear elsewhere.
Naomi Watts: A Voice for Women’s Whole-Body Wellness
Naomi Watts brings a deeply personal and authentic perspective to this campaign. As the founder of Stripes, a wellness brand dedicated to supporting women through perimenopause and menopause with science-backed products and education, Watts has long championed the need for open, informed conversations about midlife health.
“As we age and go through menopause, changes in our eyesight are common, yet eye health is still missing from the conversation,” Watts shared. “Through my partnership with Johnson & Johnson, I want to encourage everyone to see eye health as an essential part of overall well-being. The more we talk about these changes openly, the more empowered we are to take control of how we age. Start today by taking the simple step of scheduling your annual eye exam—it’s one of the easiest ways to protect your vision for the future.”
Her advocacy extends beyond awareness; it’s a call to integrate vision into the broader self-care ecosystem. For Watts, self-care isn’t just about candles and bubble baths—it’s about proactive health management that honors the full spectrum of a woman’s lived experience.
Expert Insight: Vision as a Pillar of Confidence and Independence
Dr. Charissa Lee, Head of Professional Affairs for Vision at Johnson & Johnson and a practicing optometrist, emphasizes that vision health is foundational to quality of life. “Clear vision isn’t a luxury—it’s an enabler of human potential and a cornerstone of healthy aging,” she explains. “While people invest significantly in skincare and cosmetic treatments to look younger, they often overlook that proper vision correction can help maintain a more relaxed, youthful appearance. Squinting less, reading comfortably, and engaging fully in conversations—all of these contribute to how we present ourselves and how we feel in our own skin.”
Dr. Lee points out that modern eye care offers more solutions than ever before. From daily disposable multifocal contact lenses that seamlessly address presbyopia to advanced intraocular lenses used in cataract surgery that can reduce dependence on glasses, today’s innovations make vision correction more convenient and effective than in previous decades.
The Data Behind the Disconnect
The Johnson & Johnson Vision survey uncovered several key insights that highlight both awareness and action gaps:
- 82% of Americans agree that clear vision is crucial to feeling confident and youthful.
- 48% of adults over 40 believe they need vision correction but haven’t had an eye exam in the past year.
- 87% recognize that eye care options for aging extend beyond traditional glasses.
- Yet only 70% understand that eye exams can uncover serious health conditions.
- While 56% globally prioritize clear vision over appearance, 55% of those aged 40–70 express concern about wrinkles around the eyes—revealing a tension between internal health priorities and external appearance pressures.
This data paints a clear picture: people value vision, but don’t always act on that value. Barriers may include time constraints, lack of insurance coverage, or the misconception that vision changes are “just part of getting older” and therefore not worth addressing.
Making Eye Care a Self-Care Ritual
Johnson & Johnson Vision is calling on women—and all adults over 40—to reframe the eye exam as a non-negotiable element of their wellness routine, on par with annual physicals, dental cleanings, or skin checks.
Here’s how to get started:
- Schedule a comprehensive eye exam annually. Even if you think your vision is fine, changes can be subtle and gradual. Early detection is your best defense.
- Discuss hormonal changes with your eye care provider. Mention symptoms like dryness, fluctuating vision, or increased glare sensitivity—especially if you’re in perimenopause or menopause.
- Explore modern vision solutions. Ask about multifocal contacts, advanced lens technologies, or dry eye treatments tailored to your lifestyle.
- Share your experience. Normalize conversations about vision and aging. The more we talk, the less stigma there is around needing help.
A Vision for the Future
The partnership between Johnson & Johnson and Naomi Watts is more than a marketing campaign—it’s a cultural intervention. By positioning the eye exam as an act of self-respect, foresight, and empowerment, they hope to shift societal norms around aging from passive acceptance to proactive engagement.
In a world that often equates self-care with indulgence, this initiative reminds us that true self-care includes showing up for our future selves—protecting our ability to read to our grandchildren, drive safely, work with confidence, and enjoy the world in full clarity. As Watts puts it: “Taking care of your eyes is taking care of your life.”
About Vision at Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson has a deep legacy in developing transformational new products that improve the health of patients’ eyes. We have a bold ambition: Vision Made Possible – improving sight for more than 40 million people each year. Through cutting-edge innovation, expertise in material and optical science, and advanced technologies, we are revolutionizing the way people see and experience the world. Visit us at clearvisionforyou.com, follow @JNJVision on Twitter, Johnson & Johnson | Vision on LinkedIn, and @JNJVision on Facebook.
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more about our MedTech sector’s global scale and deep expertise in cardiovascular, orthopaedics, surgery and vision solutions at https://thenext.jnjmedtech.com. Follow us at @JNJMedTech and on LinkedIn.
About the study
These are the findings of an Ipsos survey conducted on behalf of Johnson & Johnson. Fieldwork was conducted between August 23 to September 10, 2024. A total of n=9,895 adults (7000 of whom are aged 40-70) in key markets (Brazil, China, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, South Korea, United States) participated in the survey.
Quotas and weighting were used to ensure the sample’s composition reflects that of the population according to census parameters.
Source Link: https://www.jnj.com/
