Varilux Boomer Watch™ is an annual nationwide survey 
of more than 1,000 baby boomers conducted online by Varilux®
progressive lenses, the most technologically advanced solution
for presbyopia. This year the survey asked boomers about 
boomer culture, attitudes, ideals and concerns, revealing 
insight into how this influential generation see themselves in 
2002. 

Boomers shared their feelings on changes in their appearance 
as they age and how it influences their self-image. 

Me, Myself and I

Boomers tend not to dwell on the details when it 
comes to self-image. When asked about the importance of
several aspects of their appearance, baby boomers said 
that overall appearance was most important (74%). 
Sexual attractiveness was not important according to 
almost half of boomers (47%).

Ch-Ch-Changes…

A large majority of boomers (86%) find it is harder 
to feel good about their physical appearance as they age. 
However, most of them are not interested in changing their
appearance. The change most often considered (46%) 
but not often tried (3%) was eye laser surgery. Two surgeries, 
tummy tuck (29%) and facelift (28%), were equally considered,
although 70 percent of those surveyed would not consider
these and only about 2 percent have actually had these
changes.

Am I Turning into My Parents?

Boomers were asked what are they wearing now that 
they never thought they would wear 20 years ago. 
More than half (52%) of boomers 
said bifocals. 

Other top answers included:

  
Jogging Suits (19%) 
  
Granny Glasses (13%) 
  
Business Suits (10%)

The Fountain of Youth

When asked about telltale signs of aging, almost half 
(48%) said gray hair or hair loss was the first noticed 
and 22 percent said it was a change in their eyesight. 
Other signs include weight gain, wrinkles, age 
spots and memory loss.

Let’s Get Physical 

Boomers are divided when it comes to exercising. 
About half (52%) exercise regularly or at least once or 
twice a week and about half (48%) exercise
twice a month or less often. 

Varilux Boomer Watch was conducted in January 2002 
with an accuracy of +/- 3 percent. For more statistics from the 
Varilux Boomer Watch report, 
contact Courtney Weber at 312/988-2161 
or email 
cweber@webershandwick.com.
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Varilux Boomer Watch ™ is a trademark of Essilor of 
America, Inc.

Varilux® is a registered trademark of Essilor 
International, S.A.
 
Essilor of America, Inc. (Essilor) is a subsidiary of
Paris-based Essilor International, S.A., a publicly held 
company traded on the Bourse (Symbol: ESI).



Essilor is the leading manufacturer of optical lenses in the 
United States and founding partner of VisionWebSM, www.visionweb.com, 
which is creating the world's largest eye care
network.  An industry pioneer in the development and
production of ophthalmic lenses, Essilor is the market
leader in progressive, high-index and anti-reflective coated 
lenses.  The company manufactures optical lenses
under the Varilux®, Crizal®, Airwear® and Essilor brand 
names.