ZVA Elects Kai Jaeger as President Amid Stable Market Report

The Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA) held its member assembly in Lübeck on March 7–8, 2026. Delegates unanimously elected Kai Jaeger as the new president, succeeding Christian Müller, who served nearly 17 years and was named honorary president. The meeting focused on regular elections for the executive board and committees. During his final report, Müller highlighted the upcoming optician master regulation effective July 2026 and intensified political advocacy regarding medical aids supply. He also addressed market competition involving Brillen.de, emphasizing fair trade compliance. Lars Hellberg and Stefan Pape received the Golden ZVA Honorary Award for long-standing contributions to vocational training and industry representation.

The Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA) released its 2025/26 industry report, indicating a stable but less dynamic German optical market. Revenue rose by 0.6% in 2025 to over €7 billion, lagging behind inflation, while complete eyeglass sales dropped 2% to nearly 12 million units. The number of optical businesses fell to approximately 10,700, with the top ten companies now holding 55% of total revenue. Online sales of glasses and accessories remained insignificant at a 5% revenue share, with only 6% of purchases decided online. ZVA President Kai Jaeger noted that structural changes are advancing, particularly affecting small owner-operated businesses due to succession issues. The report emphasizes that personal consultation remains the dominant model, though digital tools like online booking are increasingly adopted.