NEW YORK—Research such as the PROSPER Study has shown that eyecare plays a major role in both quality of life and productivity at work and at home, and we all know how much joy a new pair of frames and the ability to see clearly can bring. Unfortunately, for many Americans, that kind of quality eyecare is financially out of reach.

In fact, surveys show that many Americans are forced to delay health care, including eyecare, because they can’t afford it. According to research from Earnin, 54 percent of Americans who earn between $75,000 and $99,000 a year have put off medical care due to affordability. Americans who earn less than that are more likely to have done the same thing, and even households that bring in over $100,000 each year have had to put off health care because it was too expensive. Most commonly, people are forced to delay dental or orthodontic care (55 percent), eyecare (43 percent) and annual exams (30 percent) due to cost.

Take a look at the chart below, created by Statista, for a closer look at just how household income affects access to medical care in the U.S.