Johnson & Johnson has announced a new collaboration with actress and entrepreneur Naomi Watts aimed at encouraging people, particularly women over 40, to take their eye health more seriously. The company revealed the partnership alongside new survey findings that show many Americans continue to overlook the importance of eye exams, even though clear vision is closely linked to confidence, independence and early detection of wider health issues.
According to the survey, 80% of Americans believe good vision is essential to feeling confident and youthful, yet nearly half of respondents who think they may need vision correction have not visited an eye care professional in the past year. This gap persists despite the booming $59.7 billion anti-ageing market, where consumers continue to spend heavily on skincare and cosmetic treatments. Interestingly, respondents placed skin at the bottom of their priorities when considering the realities of ageing, though 55% said they worry about wrinkles around their eyes.
Age-related eyesight conditions remain widespread. Presbyopia, which usually begins around age 40, now affects more than 1 billion people globally and makes it difficult to see objects up close. Cataracts, the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness, also continue to be prevalent. Both conditions can be identified through comprehensive eye exams, which can detect more than 270 health issues, including diabetes, heart disease and stroke risk.
“As we age and go through menopause, changes in our eyesight are common, yet eye health is still missing from the conversation,” said Naomi Watts. “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.”
The initiative draws on Watts’ continued work in women’s health, including her role as founder of Stripes Beauty, which focuses on supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. Johnson & Johnson says the partnership will help highlight how hormonal changes can influence vision, urging individuals to build regular eye exams into their broader approach to healthy ageing.
Optometrist Dr. Charissa Lee, Head of Professional Affairs, Vision, at Johnson & Johnson, said routine checks play a crucial role in both wellbeing and maintaining confidence. “Clear vision isn’t a luxury, it’s an enabler of human potential and a cornerstone of healthy aging,” she said.
Johnson & Johnson is encouraging anyone over 40 to schedule an annual eye exam, explore modern vision-correction solutions and speak to their doctor before problems begin affecting daily life.
