OBJECTIVES: After 45-50 years of age, the vast majority of people have presbyopia, a loss of the ability to focus on near objects. This, and the common need for distance vision correction, often results in the use of eyeglasses. The objectives of this survey were to collect data in five European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK) on the associated societal costs of wearing spectacles and subject willingness to pay to be free of spectacles. METHODS: A sample of citizens over 45 years of age and wearing glasses was selected using a quota method (age, gender, occupation). Telephone interviews (22 questions) were conducted using a Computer Aided Telephone Interviewing system. RESULTS: 4,157 subjects were interviewed across the countries. 38.4% were >65 years old and 55.8% were female. In all countries, prescribed glasses were mainly mono-focal (49.7-72.8%), except for France (29.8%). Spectacles were replaced every 2 or more years by 70.4% of the subjects and the average expenditure exceeded €145 per pair in 62.9% of the cases. Replacement frequency was higher in the UK and expenditures were higher in France. The 3 main daily tasks requiring glasses were reading (60.4%), watching TV (33.6%) and shopping (28.8%). Across all the countries, 45.3% of the subjects declared that they would be willing to pay at least a part of the cost to avoid spectacles. Men and people less than 64 years old had a higher willingness to pay to be free of spectacles. CONCLUSION: Citizens living in a country where private insurance reimburses a significant portion of eyeglass costs bought more expensive spectacles. A higher spectacle replacement frequency is associated with a lower price. About half the European citizens would be willing to pay at least a part of the cost to be free of spectacles, especially men and people < 64 years of age.