All photos courtesy of Contact Lens Institute.
Comprehensive report analyzing how Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X evaluate eye care professionals, practices and products, plus how to increase patient satisfaction and grow revenue
Dec. 1, 2025
Contact Lens Institute™ (CLI) has recently published “Shifting Focus: Generational Perspectives of Contact Lenses & Eye Care” to help the eye are community better understand and connect with Gen Z, Millennial and Gen X patients. The in-depth report is packed with data, infographics and insights about how consumers of different ages evaluate and interact with providers, practices and products. The PDF is now available for free download, printing or on-screen reading here.
Included in the work are analyses of generational differences in contact lens and glasses wearing frequency, purchase motivations, cost-value considerations, practice and product loyalty drivers and expectations of practice and retailer services. Each section is complemented by columns and tip sheets from CLI Visionaries—16 veteran and emerging optometrists and opticians—describing practical ways to translate the findings into practical, results-bearing actions.
“What we discovered is at times surprising, yet essential as eye care business owners and managers prepare for the decades ahead. By better connecting with people in the exam lane or optical floor—a constant throughout past CLI reports—individuals and teams are more likely to strengthen patient relationships and long-term success,” said Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director.
Key Findings
- Contact lens patients are more loyal to their eye care professionals compared to glasses wearers, especially among Gen X (77% CL vs. 54% glasses).
- Millennial contact lens wear (43%) outpaces Gen Z (35%) by 8%, suggesting considerable upside opportunity to engage younger patients.
- At least 70% of all patients want their eye care team to explain the real value of vision correction recommendations, helping them understand the key benefits; the same proportion also want their provider to discuss lifestyle gains afforded by contact lenses.
- Gen Z and Millennial consumers’ appreciation of authenticity, personalization and social/environmental responsibility extend to how they assess their eye care experience, including both practices/retailers and product brands.
- While Gen Z and Millennials expect faster non-emergency responses from eye care practices compared to Gen X, their demand for non-traditional office hours illustrate a more pronounced difference, e.g., approximately 50% of patients ages 15-44 believe that their eye doctor or staff should be available for care and questions during the evening (5-9 p.m.).
- Despite an onslaught of digital information sources, respondents in all generations still see their eye care team (ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians and staff) as the most trusted experts, far outpacing options such as artificial intelligence platforms and social media.
One of many CLI graphics on generational differences.
Dive in to more highlights and download the full report here.
Read more recent news on ROB here.
