Focus on 2026: What’s trending for optometry in the coming year

Change is inevitable, and things are happening rapidly throughout medicine. Here are the top trends that seem most relevant in optometry.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) affects everything that is trending in most areas of health care, and the technology is looming large in its impact on future care. This trend was pointed out by both the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Altris, Inc.

The latter is not only looking at 2026, but 2 decades out when it is envisioning a paradigm shift in the practice of optometry.¹

“Advances in new technology, such as AI, machine learning, and virtual and augmented reality, are expected to revolutionize how optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat eye-related problems. Optometry’s future is promising for those who are ready to embrace innovations,” the company stated on its website.

In addition to AI, AOA sees technology as shaping the practice of optometry via “telehealth, online vision screening or chairside innovations, never mind the ‘influencers’ shaping public awareness about the profession on social media, and the public’s general desire for convenience.”²

However, AOA advises caution before freely embracing new technologies. The association’s New Technology Committee and the Education Center will, respectively, evaluate how new technologies will affect optometry clinics and help clinicians incorporate the new technologies into educational programs.

The association also guides optometrists with instructional opportunities to explain the pros and cons of new technologies.

lbisVision, which also cites AI’s rapid incorporation into eye care,³ pointed out that incorporating AI into practice should result in earlier disease detection. “Older adults need more monitoring for conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, while younger patients are facing issues like dry eye, digital eye strain, and even early-onset myopia.”

Myopia control

The management of myopia is at the forefront of eye care clinicians worldwide.

At the American Academy of Optometry 2025 annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, Langis Michaud, OD, MSc, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FEAOO, from the Université de Montréal School of Optometry, strongly emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to myopia management.⁴ He views myopia control as “a collective effort involving every staff member, starting with the front office personnel.” And, importantly, myopia should be treated as a genuine disease, not merely a refractive error, he said. Successful control, especially in children, can prevent complications of the disease that can cause blindness.

Individualized, more precise patient care

IbisVision noted the trend toward more individualized patient treatment. “By 2026, AI-powered diagnostics will become a standard part of the patient experience, making care faster, smarter, and more accurate,” IbisVision states on its website.

The trend toward a personalized approach has occurred by using large datasets and AI-powered analytics tools. According to IbisVision, this data-driven approach is creating several use cases:

• Genetic testing could become a common way to assess each patient’s risks.
• Biomarker analysis could help spot early signs of eye disease.
• New drugs can target specific molecules. These targeted therapies are currently used to treat cancer, but there could be further applications in treating eye diseases.
• In the future, gene therapy could help address degenerative eye conditions.⁵

More treatment options have been developed to correct refractive errors. New materials and technologies are beginning to facilitate more personalized recommendations for patients who need eyeglasses or contacts. An example is that the development of telescopic contact lenses could revolutionize how age-related macular degeneration is treated in the near future.⁵

Smart glasses

The growing demand for eyewear has resulted in products with enhanced capabilities beyond correcting refractive errors.⁶

“Recent innovations now enable glasses to also serve as assistive technology for individuals with disabilities other than vision impairment.”⁶ The Nuance Audio glasses from EssilorLuxottica include hearing aids to facilitate both vision and mild-to-moderate hearing correction. There is also an app to adjust audio settings based on the surrounding environment.

Augmented reality in eyewear can incorporate digital information into a user’s physical environment.⁶ Some examples of this technology are Orion (Meta), which features large holographic displays for 2D and 3D elements. Xreal AR glasses (Alibaba) include the X1 chip, which allows the viewing of digital content directly from the glasses.⁶

Augmented reality is also being incorporated into contact lenses that can track blinking and enable wireless interaction with machines.⁶

These smart contacts are also being developed to diagnose ocular conditions. Integrated biosensors in contact lenses can measure intraocular pressure for the detection and monitoring of pressure changes in real time. These lenses can also be used to release antiglaucoma medications.⁶

Paul Levine, OD, FAAO, who is in private practice in Southborough, Massachusetts, sees this as a time of great growth in optometric practices.

“This is a very exciting time to be in eyecare. We have seen innovations never before dreamed of. Patient demand is increasing as we live in the age of information, and they are more educated than ever. As a myopia management specialist, I feel fortunate to have so many options available and finally having access to myopia-controlling spectacles gives us another effective tool in the battle against progressive myopia. I think 2026 is primed to bring us more advances in technology and greatly improve eye care and outcomes,” he told Optometry Times.

References

1. Znamenska M. Future of optometry: how will optometry practice look in 2040? Altris. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.altris.ai/article/new-technology-in-optometry-how-will-optometry-practice-look-in-2040/#:~:text=In%20the%20next%20two%20decades,and%20treat%20eye%2Drelated%20problems

2. Inside the AOA Strategic Plan. American Optometric Association. September 8, 2022. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.aoa.org/news/inside-optometry/aoa-news/the-aoa-team#:~:text=%E2%80%9CKeeping%20abreast%20of%20the%20newest,coding%20of%20these%20new%20technologies.%E2%80%9D

3. Eye care trends to watch in 2026. IbisVision. November 17, 2025. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.ibis.vision/blog/eye-care-trends-to-watch-in-2026

4. Maharjan EK. Takeaways from the 2025 American Optometric Association Optometry's Meeting. August 25, 2025. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/takeaways-from-the-2025-american-optometric-association-optometry-s-meeting

5. Ashford J. Top trends shaping the US optometry industry. Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma. March 7, 2024. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://ok.vision/top-trends-shaping-the-u-s-optometry-industry/

6. Williams C. Audio glasses, augmented reality, and other innovations shaping the modern eyewear industry. Tech Times. April 28, 2025. Accessed December 5, 2025. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/310149/20250428/audio-glasses-augmented-reality-other-innovations-shaping-modern-eyewear-industry.htm