GlassesUSA.com announced the launch of The 2026 State of Glasses Wearers in America, a national vision education and research hub developed with ophthalmologist Norman A. Saffra, MD, FAAO. The initiative stems from an online survey conducted in June 2026 among 519 US adults aged 18 to 80 who wear prescription glasses daily. Key findings revealed that nearly 70% of respondents continued using their glasses despite suspecting their prescription had changed, while 56.1% delayed obtaining new eyewear due to cost. Additionally, 79.4% reported symptoms associated with screen use, and 45.9% wait until experiencing vision problems before seeking an eye exam. The hub features educational videos by Dr. Saffra addressing topics such as progressive lenses and lens indexes, alongside practical guides on measuring pupillary distance and ordering prescription glasses online.
The Vision Council released its "Focused inSights 2026" report, based on a survey of 1,089 US adults, revealing that while eye strain symptoms are common, many individuals do not seek professional care. Data indicates 78% experienced eye fatigue after screen use in the past three months, yet 39% of symptomatic respondents never raised these issues with a health care provider. Additionally, 63% had never heard of digital eye strain or knew only its name, and half reported similar unfamiliarity with dry eye disease. When seeking help, eye doctors were the top information source for 40% of respondents, and their recommendations were the most critical factor for 38% when choosing treatment products. The Council shared these findings at the American Academy of Optometry’s annual meeting in Anaheim from September 30 to October 3, 2026.
Silmo Paris 2026 concluded at Paris Nord Villepinte with 32,108 trade visitors from nearly 150 countries, a decrease from 33,358 in the previous year. The event featured over 950 exhibitors and 1,500 brands showcasing new frames, sustainability initiatives, and digital solutions like connected eyewear. Sophia Denison from the Savannah College of Art and Design won the Optic Design Contest for her project "Dreamscape." Austrian manufacturer Andy Wolf received the CSR Award, while British optician Jessica Gowing was named International Optician of the Year by the International Opticians‘ Association. The next edition is scheduled for September 24–27, 2027, marking the fair’s 60th anniversary.
CooperVision released a report titled “Unmet Opportunities: Multifocal Contact Lenses and the Anti-Aging Movement (U.S.),” combining survey data from US adults aged 38 and older with market insights on healthy aging. The findings reveal that while consumers actively invest in anti-aging products, many remain unaware of multifocal contact lenses’ potential to support youthful vision. This awareness gap presents untapped opportunities for eyecare professionals to introduce these lenses earlier in patient care. The report provides practical guidance for integrating anti-aging themes into presbyopia discussions, including annual exam prompts to facilitate natural conversations about lens options.
On June 25, 2026, The Vision Council released "Focused inSights: Beyond UV Awareness," a research report supported by HOUSE of MODO. Based on a survey of 608 U.S. adults conducted in April and May 2026, the study examines why 37% of U.S. adults (approximately 82 million people) do not wear sunglasses despite routine outdoor exposure. Findings indicate that most non-wearers are former users who stopped due to practical barriers such as forgetfulness, discomfort, and loss or breakage, rather than a lack of UV awareness; 65% are already familiar with UV risks. The report suggests that reactivating these consumers requires improvements in comfort, cost, and style, noting that three in four non-wearers feel the category was not designed for them. The full report is available for free download.
The Vision Council released its Q2 2026 Consumer inSights report, based on a survey of 12,137 U.S. adults conducted between April 10 and June 12, 2026. The findings indicate a stabilizing market following cautious spending, with consumers deliberately stretching existing eyewear rather than skipping purchases due to affordability issues. Spending remains distributed across price tiers: the under-$100 segment edged down, while the $200+ tier increased. Key insights include that 16% of recent buyers purchased smart eyewear, and contact lens sales shifted toward corporate and chain locations (62%). FSA/HSA usage is common among those with access, with three-quarters using them for eye exams. The report is complimentary for members and available for purchase by non-members.
Editorial relevance: Provides quarterly data on U.S. consumer spending tiers, smart eyewear adoption rates, and channel shifts relevant to optical ecommerce strategy.
The Vision Council released its Market inSights and Provider inSights reports for Q1-Q2 2026, revealing that while the optical industry surpassed $19 billion in value in Q2 2026, this growth was primarily due to higher per-unit pricing. Unit volumes declined across nearly all categories, with exam volume dropping by nearly 2.5 million visits compared to the first half of 2025. Provider sentiment softened significantly; 63% believe the U.S. economy worsened in early 2026, and 61% reported tariffs impacting their practices. Despite these headwinds, 49% of providers now offer smart eyewear, up from 39% a year ago, and 92% carry frames priced at $350 or more.
Editorial relevance: This report highlights that optical market revenue growth is driven by price increases rather than volume, with significant declines in patient visits and provider confidence affecting the broader eyewear supply chain.
According to China's Ministry of Commerce, sales of smart glasses on major platforms rose 120% year-on-year during the first eight months of 2026. This surge aligns with a broader consumer shift toward smart and health products, as electrocardiogram monitor sales increased by 75%. The growth occurred alongside a 2.5% rise in combined retail sales of goods and services. Services outpaced goods, growing 4.9% compared to a 1.0% increase for goods. Rural retail sales reached $651.65 billion (4.4 trillion yuan), up 2.3% year-on-year. To support this trend, the government expanded its 2026 consumer goods trade-in programme, offering a 15% subsidy capped at 500 yuan per item for smart glasses.
20/20 Magazine published findings from its annual Wholesale Lab Usage Survey, conducted by Jobson Optical Research in July 2026. The study surveyed 230 eyecare professionals at independent locations using wholesale labs for lens processing or other eyewear services. This data highlights the interdependent relationship between independent practices and prescription labs, which serve as manufacturers, distributors, educators, and technical experts. For trending purposes, the report includes three years of data: 216 respondents from the July 2024 survey and 237 respondents from the July 2025 survey. All surveys were conducted online via the proprietary Jobson Optical Research Database. Respondents entered a sweepstakes to win a $200 Amazon.com gift card. Complete survey findings are available by contacting Jennifer Waller, Director of Research & Business Analytics.
20/20 Magazine published its annual Sport Eyewear MarketPulse Survey, conducted by Jobson Research in June 2026. The study gathered data from 218 respondents at independent optical locations dispensing eyeglasses, of which 196 dispensed sport eyewear. The report highlights consumer demand for fitness-oriented gear and premium optics to enhance performance, positioning sport eyewear as a viable category for dispensaries. Authored by Jillian Urcelay, the survey provides a snapshot of the current market status without detailing specific revenue figures or unit sales volumes.
A Boots Opticians survey of 2,000 UK parents indicated that children’s eye health is often approached reactively rather than proactively. Only 29% of respondents regularly considered their child’s eyesight, while more than three-quarters did not know what myopia is. Misconceptions were prevalent, with nearly a third believing children can grow out of the condition, 36% thinking glasses cure it, and 13% assuming carrots reverse short-sightedness. Despite this lack of understanding, 71% would consider myopia management lenses to slow progression. Parents prioritized healthy eating, mental wellbeing (both 57%), and dental appointments (74%) over routine eye tests, which fewer than 49% prioritized. One in nine parents only visited an optometry practice when complaints arose, and 14% believed asymptomatic children do not need eye tests.
The British Congress of Optometry and Vision Science (14–15 September, Cardiff University) gathered over 120 professionals to present research insights. Hannah Noor reported that combining parental myopia status with polygenic risk scores offers the most informative myopia prediction, though absolute performance remains modest. Turki Almaslokh presented data on hydroxychloroquine users in Wales, noting a majority are female, aged 40–70, and located in deprived areas; while retinopathy prevalence is under 1%, half have other eye conditions requiring multidisciplinary monitoring. Dr Peter Jones outlined a three-year project led by Shreena Patel exploring feasible glaucoma monitoring in care homes, addressing challenges such as high non-attendance rates and £250 per appointment costs for hospital-based services.
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) released "Profitability Perspectives: Rethinking the Value of Contact Lenses," a report based on the first U.S. analysis of contact lens profitability. The study, conducted by independent researchers including Professors Philip Morgan and Lyndon Jones, analyzed data from 20 U.S. optometry offices between November 2025 and May 2026. It found that contact lens patients generate 29% to 86% higher annual profits compared to eyeglasses-only patients. The report includes financial assessment tools, implementation plans, and retrospective insights from prior CLI research. CLI will present findings at the American Academy of Optometry 2026 Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California, from September 30 to October 3. A YouTube series and full report are available online.
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has released its full report, Profitability Perspectives: Rethinking the Value of Contact Lenses, following major findings announced in July 2026. An independent analysis of 600 patients across 20 US optometry offices found that contact lens wearers generate 29% to 86% higher annual profits than eyeglasses-only patients. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Manchester, University of Waterloo, and Appalachian State University using data from November 2025 to May 2026, attributes this gap to contemporary product performance and patient satisfaction. CLI plans to promote the report at the American Academy of Optometry 2026 Annual Meeting in Anaheim. The publication includes incremental and lifetime gain models, worksheets, and a 90-day implementation plan to help practices estimate potential revenue upside.
Italian National Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers (ANFAO) data reveals that Italian eyewear exports fell 2.7 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. ANFAO attributes this decline primarily to a "sharp contraction" in the U.S. market driven by tariff policies and trade barriers. Total exports reached just over €2.7 billion, with frames down 1.1 percent to €830 million and sunglasses down 3.7 percent to €1.81 billion. Conversely, lens exports rose 6 percent to €68 million. Exports to the U.S. specifically dropped 25.1 percent, resulting in over €107 million in lost revenue. Despite the overall decline, monthly trends improved from -14.3 percent in January to +3.7 percent in June, supported by resilience in European markets.
Data from the Italian eyewear trade association Anfao indicates that the value of Italian eyewear exports declined by 2.7 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year, totaling €2.705 billion. During this timeframe, France surpassed the United States to become the largest export market for the Italian industry. The figures reflect a decrease in export value rather than unit volume, highlighting a shift in geographic distribution where France edged out the US as the primary destination for Italian eyewear products.
MIDO reports that Italian eyewear exports totaled just over €2.7 billion in the first half of 2026, a 2.7% decrease year-on-year. The decline was primarily driven by a 25.1% drop in exports to the United States, reflecting ongoing trade tensions and tariff uncertainties. However, Europe reinforced its position as the primary market with 4.4% growth, led by strong performances in Germany (+7.1%) and Poland (+20.9%). Monthly trends indicated a gradual recovery, with June exports rising 3.7%. Domestically, the Italian optical market remained stable at approximately €1.8 billion (+0.3%), contrasting with a 2.8% decline across major European markets. ANFAO President Lorraine Berton emphasized the industry's geographic rebalancing and resilience despite persistent pressure from the US market.
Editorial relevance: The report provides critical data on how tariff policies and trade tensions are reshaping Italian eyewear export flows, highlighting a strategic shift from the US to European markets.
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The US optical market reached $19.1 billion in the second quarter of 2026, an increase from $18.4 billion in the first quarter, according to The Vision Council’s latest Market inSights report. Despite this revenue growth, unit volumes dropped in every category, indicating that price increases are increasingly driving market value. The quarterly estimates rely on consumer retail credit card spending data, patient billing and payment data, and optical retail location information.
EyewearSearch News released a guide categorizing ten Japanese handmade eyewear brands into beginner, intermediate, and collector tiers. The selection includes BJ CLASSIC COLLECTION, spec ēspace, KameManNen, Taylor with Respect, MASUNAGA since 1905, EYEVAN 7285, YUICHI TOYAMA., GROOVER SPECTACLES, FACTORY900, and MATSUDA. The article emphasizes that higher price does not guarantee better quality, instead focusing on fit, structure, and brand philosophy. It details specific manufacturing traits, such as EYEVAN 7285’s approximately 400 production steps and MATSUDA’s use of materials like titanium and 925 sterling silver. The guide advises consumers to prioritize daily wearability over rarity for first-time buyers and suggests evaluating frame size, material, and lens compatibility before purchase.
The anti-aging sector attracted approximately $5.7 billion in investments during 2025, with first-quarter 2026 funding rising 56 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Backed by figures including Jeff Bezos and Sam Altman, the field gained prominence at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Economist Andrew Scott estimated that slowing aging to increase life expectancy by one year holds a societal value of $38 trillion in the United States alone. Optical relevance emerged when Life Biosciences administered the world’s first ER-100 injection into a patient’s left eye last spring to treat cataracts, aiming for broader cellular rejuvenation. While this signals potential shifts in treating eye diseases via cell therapy rather than lenses, significant societal impacts remain years away.
Fredrik Thunell, CEO of the Swedish optical industry association Optikbranschen, notes that eyewear subscriptions have become a standard business model ten years after Synsam’s 2016 launch. He observes that many customers now prefer leasing or subscription services over purchasing, mirroring broader shifts toward flexibility seen in streaming and other sectors. The commentary also celebrates the graduation of new opticians from KI & LNU, specifically highlighting the first cohort from the newly established program in Gothenburg. All graduates from this inaugural Gothenburg class chose to work locally, addressing recruitment challenges in western Sweden. Additionally, the article mentions the upcoming Optometry Days conference scheduled for September 19–20 in Gothenburg, where professionals will gather for education and networking.
Luxury eyewear collections are increasingly treating colour as a fundamental design component rather than a finishing touch, marking a shift from the previous decade's emphasis on neutral restraint. Designers are replacing solid blacks and tortoiseshells with softer hues like amber, translucent olive, muted reds, pale yellows, smoky blues, honey, sage, burgundy, crystal grey, and butter yellow. This trend extends to transparent acetates layered with subtle pigments such as smoke grey, pale tea, soft rose, and translucent olive, which reveal construction details while appearing lighter. Lens tints are also evolving beyond standard grey and brown to include amber, rose, smoke green, and pale blue. The change reflects consumer demand for personal expression and versatility, allowing familiar silhouettes to feel new without altering their shape.
The United Opticians Association reports on a peer-reviewed workforce model published in Ophthalmology, which projects that under current conditions, the U.S. optician workforce will meet only 76% of demand by 2035. If policy barriers to eye care lessen, this adequacy rate is expected to fall further to 60%. The article notes that while roughly 6,800 positions open annually, retirements are outpacing new entrants. Unlike standardized medical fields, opticianry lacks a unified national training standard, leading to fragmented state-level requirements. In response to these shortages, Walmart launched a fully funded two-year Associate-to-Optician degree program in 2026, with licensed opticians at its stores earning an average starting wage of $33.75 per hour.
Editorial relevance: The workforce model and demographic data highlight a structural supply gap in opticianry that directly impacts the availability of professional fitting services essential for eyewear ecommerce fulfillment.