The U.S. optical industry grew in overall value in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to The Vision Council’s Market inSights 2025 with 2026 Forecast. The report estimates the optical industry reached $69.5 billion, reflecting a shift toward higher spending per purchase.
“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. “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.”
Value Growth and Volume Declines
Based on analytics and multiple data sources, Market inSights shows the following key findings:
- Lenses held strong. Ophthalmic lenses were the highest-value prescription category, while plano sunglasses led non-prescription sales.
- Eye exam market value grew despite fewer exams. The average cost of an exam in 2025 increased by $10 compared to 2024.
- Spending remained resilient. Data shows that consumers were selective rather than disengaged, despite economic uncertainty and evolving tariff policy.
- Plano sunglasses increased. Plano sunglasses saw a 2% gain in unit volume in 2025, even as volume declined across most other optical categories.
- In-person purchases dominated. More than 80% of frames and lenses purchases were in physical locations. Contact lenses were purchased online at the highest percentage.
Outlook for 2026
Additionally, the report includes a 2026 forecast that points to optimism despite negative consumer sentiment. Continued consumer spending, combined with potential changes in tax refunds, may help offset some of the lower-volume trends observed in 2025.
Behind the Report
Market inSights 2025 provides an in-depth look at the U.S. optical industry, examining vision correction and managed vision care usage, overall market performance, and more. The report combines transaction data analysis, comprehensive retail location data, and extensive consumer surveys to deliver detailed insights across key optical product categories.
Market inSights 2025 is available at no cost for The Vision Council members, while non-members can pay to access the full report.