The Vision Council report shows optical industry value growth amid lower volumes in 2025

The U.S. optical industry grew in overall value in 2025 despite declines in product unit sales and eye exam volumes, according to Market inSights 2025 with 2026 Forecast, released by The Vision Council. The report estimates the industry’s total value at $69.5 billion, reflecting increased spending per purchase during a period of continued economic uncertainty, according to a news release.

“About 94% of U.S. adults, or 250 million people, regularly use some form of eyewear, making vision care a fundamental part of everyday life,” said Alysse Henkel, vice president of Research and inSights at The Vision Council, in the release. “This year’s Market inSights findings show how economic pressure reshaped consumer behavior. People bought fewer products and had fewer exams, but they spent more per purchase, signaling a clear shift toward value-driven decision-making in the optical market.”

The report found that while unit volumes declined across most major optical categories, higher prices and a focus on value helped sustain revenue growth. Consumer behavior shifted toward fewer but higher-value purchases rather than reduced engagement with vision care products and services.¹

Market inSights 2025 is based on multiple data sources, including transaction data, retail location information, and consumer surveys. The analysis covers major market segments such as eye exams, frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, and reading glasses, along with vision correction usage, managed vision care participation, and the national optical retail landscape.¹

Among the key findings, total market value increased modestly from 2024 to $69.5 billion. Ophthalmic lenses remained the highest-value prescription category, while plano sunglasses led non-prescription sales. Although fewer eye exams were conducted, the overall market value for exams rose, with the average cost increasing by $10 compared with the prior year.¹

Consumer sentiment was influenced by economic uncertainty and evolving tariff policy, yet spending patterns remained relatively resilient. Plano sunglasses were one of the few categories to see growth in unit volume, increasing by 2%, while most other categories declined.¹

Retail data showed that more than 80% of frames and lenses were purchased in physical locations, while contact lenses had the highest proportion of online purchases among optical products.¹

The report also includes a 2026 forecast, noting cautious optimism as continued spending and potential changes to tax refunds may help offset lower volume trends observed in 2025.¹

Reference

1. US optical industry reaches $69.5 billion despite declines in product volume and eye exams. News release. The Vision Council. January 27, 2026. Accessed February 5, 2026. https://thevisioncouncil.org/blog/us-optical-industry-reaches-695-billion-despite-declines-product-volume-and-eye-exams