Photo credit: Getty Images. The Vision Council has released a new report on optical market trends in the second quarter of 2025.
The latest on optical market trends
Sept. 10, 2025
The Vision Council has released new market data and analysis on the $17.4 billion optical industry for the second quarter of 2025.
The Market inSights Q2 2025 report details industry performance across categories, including eye exams, eyeglasses, frames, lenses, contact lenses, readers and plano sunglasses.
Seasonal Trends and Market Performance
As expected with seasonal shopping trends in the optical sector, the second quarter of 2025 saw an $800 million decline in sales compared to the first quarter. The market value also declined year-over-year by 1.5 percent. All product categories aside from plano sunglasses experienced a decrease in sales volume from the first quarter.
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Industry Resilience Despite Challenges
“The second quarter data reflects both the challenges and resilience within the optical industry,” said Alysse Henkel, vice president of research and inSights. “While overall market value softened compared to the first quarter, we continue to see consistent demand for core vision care, including comprehensive eye exams and prescription lenses. At the same time, consumer preferences show a willingness to pay more per exam or frame, suggesting that consumers are still investing in their eye care and eyewear even as sales volumes have decreased. These patterns provide valuable insight for businesses as they navigate a changing marketplace and plan for the remainder of 2025.”
Key Highlights from Q2 2025
- The market value of exams for Q2 2025 is 14 percent higher than Q2 2024, but the market volume decreased year-over-year by 4.5 percent. The average value of an exam in Q2 is almost $17 higher than one year ago.
- Lenses led the prescription market in value and increased nearly four percent from Q2 2024.
- Compared to 2024, the volume of frames sold is down, while the average value of a pair of frames has risen by an estimated $21.
- The average value of a pair of plano sunglasses purchased decreased both year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter.
- The market volume of readers remained steady compared to Q1 2025, but overall, the market volume and value for readers have decreased since Q2 2024.
- The contact lenses market saw a seven percent decrease in volume compared to Q2 2024, but only a one percent decline compared to Q1 2025.
Methodology and Access
The 2025 quarterly estimates are based on a variety of data sources, including consumer retail credit card spending data, patient billing and payment data and optical retail location data, along with a robust consumer survey program. The data sources used in this report are routinely updated, and adjustments may be made to previously published estimates.
Report Availability
The full report is available in The Vision Council’s Research Download Center. Members of The Vision Council can access it immediately at no cost, while nonmembers can purchase the report for $1,000.
For more information about the Market inSights report or The Vision Council’s research program, visit thevisioncouncil.org.
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