Americans Who Had Eye Exams in Recent Years Could Receive Up to $3,000 From $1.75 Million Settlement

Thousands of Americans who underwent eye exams may be eligible for a payout worth thousands of dollars through a settlement.

At the same time, several major companies are sending cash to consumers through multi-million-dollar legal agreements.

One of those companies is American Vision Partners, an eye care provider with locations in Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico.

The company offers LASIK, cataract surgery, cornea surgery, and a range of other vision-related services.

A class action lawsuit filed against American Vision Partners alleged that it failed to use reasonable cybersecurity protections before a data breach.

American Vision Partners acknowledged the incident in a statement.

The company said an unauthorized third party accessed its computer network and obtained the personal information of 1.6 million people.

Although it has not admitted wrongdoing, American Vision Partners agreed to a $1.75 million settlement to resolve the claims and avoid further legal expenses.

To receive a one-time payment from the settlement fund, people must have received a mailed notice containing a Class Member ID.

That would indicate they are among the estimated 258,070 individuals whose Social Security numbers and other sensitive details were exposed in the breach.

Class Member IDs can be submitted through an online claim form on the settlement website.

Claim forms must be filed by the listed deadline.

The deadline for exclusion or objection has already passed.

A final approval hearing is scheduled for later this year.

Payments are expected to begin going out to eligible recipients in early 2027.

Payment amounts will depend on whether claimants provide documents showing out-of-pocket losses reasonably tied to the breach.

Acceptable documents may include receipts or bank statements.

Class members who can show fraud or identity theft losses, professional fees, credit-related costs, or communication expenses may receive up to $3,000.

Those who did not suffer losses can still submit a claim for a pro rata share of the settlement fund.

There is no current estimate for that amount, and it will vary based on how many claims are filed and other factors.

Consumers should also keep an eye on other active settlements.

For example, only a short time remains before the claim deadline in a $533 million prescription drug case.

SeatGeek is also sending checks to customers in one US state as part of a $7.75 million fee settlement.