GITNUXREPORT 2026

Eyecare Industry Statistics

The global eyecare market is growing steadily due to rising vision disorders and an aging population.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

U.S. consumers spent $6.2 billion on eyeglasses and contact lenses in 2023, averaging $185 per person annually

Statistic 2

64% of U.S. adults aged 18-34 purchased eyewear online in 2023, compared to 42% of those over 55

Statistic 3

Millennial women spend 25% more on luxury sunglasses than average consumers, averaging $250 per pair

Statistic 4

71% of spectacle wearers replace frames every 2 years, spending $150-300 per purchase globally

Statistic 5

Contact lens wearers in Europe spend €120 annually on solutions and replacements on average

Statistic 6

52% of U.S. parents prioritize blue light blocking glasses for children, willing to pay 20% premium

Statistic 7

Global average annual spend on eye exams is $50 in developed markets, with 68% compliance rate

Statistic 8

Prescription sunglasses account for 15% of U.S. eyewear sales, with average price $220 in 2023

Statistic 9

40% of Gen Z consumers prefer sustainable eyewear brands, paying 15-30% more

Statistic 10

U.K. consumers spent £1.2 billion on contact lenses in 2023, with 25% increase in daily disposables

Statistic 11

55% of smartphone users over 40 buy anti-glare coatings, adding $50 to lens cost

Statistic 12

Average lifetime eyewear spend per U.S. consumer is $12,500 from age 10 to 80

Statistic 13

Japan sees 78% of adults owning multiple eyewear pairs, averaging ¥20,000 per pair

Statistic 14

62% of U.S. women purchase makeup-friendly eyewear, spending 18% above average

Statistic 15

Orthokeratology lens users spend $2,000-4,000 annually worldwide for myopia control

Statistic 16

45% of insured Americans skip eye exams due to $20-50 copays

Statistic 17

Australia contact lens market consumer spend hit AUD 450 million in 2023, up 7%

Statistic 18

Global AR/VR eyewear trial purchases rose 35% in 2023 among gamers, average $300

Statistic 19

70% of U.S. seniors on Medicare spend out-of-pocket $200+ yearly on vision aids

Statistic 20

Brazil eyewear e-commerce grew 28% in 2023, average basket $80 per transaction

Statistic 21

The global eyecare products market was valued at USD 14.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030, driven by rising prevalence of eye disorders and aging population

Statistic 22

U.S. vision care market revenue reached $28.4 billion in 2022, with contact lenses accounting for 32% of total sales

Statistic 23

The Asia Pacific eyecare market is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 7.1% during 2023-2030 due to increasing diabetic population and urbanization

Statistic 24

Global ophthalmic devices market size was USD 52.8 billion in 2022, anticipated to expand at 5.4% CAGR till 2032, fueled by cataract surgeries

Statistic 25

European contact lens market generated $3.2 billion in 2023, with daily disposables growing at 8.2% annually

Statistic 26

Dry eye syndrome treatment market valued at $5.1 billion globally in 2023, expected to reach $8.9 billion by 2032 at 6.3% CAGR

Statistic 27

U.S. eyewear market e-commerce sales hit $2.8 billion in 2023, representing 25% of total eyewear sales

Statistic 28

Global myopia management market size estimated at $8.4 billion in 2024, growing to $15.2 billion by 2030 at 10.4% CAGR

Statistic 29

Refractive surgery market worldwide valued at $2.3 billion in 2022, projected to grow at 5.7% CAGR through 2030

Statistic 30

Artificial tears market reached $3.6 billion in 2023 globally, with prescription drops segment at 45% share

Statistic 31

Indian eyecare market valued at INR 25,000 crore in 2023, expected to double by 2028 due to rising disposable incomes

Statistic 32

Global smart eyewear market size was $1.2 billion in 2023, forecasted to hit $5.1 billion by 2030 at 23.5% CAGR

Statistic 33

Latin America ophthalmic market grew 6.8% YoY in 2023 to reach $4.7 billion, led by Brazil and Mexico

Statistic 34

Over-the-counter eye care products market in North America valued at $2.9 billion in 2022, CAGR 4.2% to 2030

Statistic 35

Global pediatric ophthalmology devices market at $1.8 billion in 2023, projected 6.9% CAGR to 2031

Statistic 36

China eyeglasses market revenue exceeded CNY 100 billion in 2023, with online sales at 60% share

Statistic 37

Veterinary ophthalmology market globally valued at $0.45 billion in 2023, growing at 7.2% CAGR to 2030

Statistic 38

Sunglasses market in the U.S. generated $4.1 billion in 2023, luxury segment up 12% YoY

Statistic 39

Global glaucoma therapeutics market size $6.5 billion in 2022, expected 5.8% CAGR to 2030

Statistic 40

Middle East & Africa eyecare market projected to grow from $2.1 billion in 2023 to $3.8 billion by 2030 at 8.9% CAGR

Statistic 41

Approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment, with 1 billion cases unaddressed

Statistic 42

In the U.S., 12 million people aged 40+ have cataracts affecting vision, representing 18.5% prevalence

Statistic 43

Global myopia prevalence among children aged 6-19 years reached 34% in 2023, up from 23% in 1990

Statistic 44

Diabetic retinopathy affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes globally, totaling over 100 million cases in 2023

Statistic 45

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) impacts 196 million people worldwide in 2020, projected to 288 million by 2040

Statistic 46

Dry eye disease prevalence is 5-50% in the U.S. population, affecting 16 million adults

Statistic 47

Glaucoma affects 80 million people globally, with 50% undiagnosed, leading to 4.5 million blindness cases

Statistic 48

In India, 135 million people suffer from vision impairment, with 8 million blind

Statistic 49

Presbyopia affects 1.8 billion adults worldwide, with 86% in low/middle-income countries

Statistic 50

Retinal detachment incidence is 12.5 cases per 100,000 people annually in the U.S.

Statistic 51

Keratoconus prevalence estimated at 1 in 2,000 globally, higher in Middle East at 1 in 500

Statistic 52

Uveitis affects 38 cases per 100,000 people yearly in the U.S., totaling 115,000 new cases

Statistic 53

Pterygium prevalence reaches 12% in equatorial regions due to UV exposure

Statistic 54

Blepharitis impacts 47% of ophthalmology patients in U.S. clinics annually

Statistic 55

Strabismus affects 2-4% of the U.S. population, or about 9 million people

Statistic 56

Color vision deficiency (color blindness) occurs in 8% of males and 0.5% of females globally

Statistic 57

Conjunctivitis cases total 3.7 million visits to U.S. emergency departments yearly

Statistic 58

Amblyopia (lazy eye) prevalence is 2-3% in children under 6 years worldwide

Statistic 59

Globally, 36 million blind and 253 million visually impaired in 2023

Statistic 60

AI-powered virtual try-on tools increased conversion rates by 2.5x, boosting sales 25%

Statistic 61

Femtosecond laser cataract surgery adoption reached 45% in U.S. in 2023, reducing complications by 30%

Statistic 62

Silicone hydrogel contact lenses now hold 70% market share due to 7-day wear capability

Statistic 63

OCT imaging devices integrated AI for glaucoma detection with 95% accuracy in 2023 trials

Statistic 64

Smart contact lenses for glucose monitoring entered Phase III trials in 2024, measuring tears accurately

Statistic 65

Wavefront-guided LASIK improved night vision outcomes by 40% over standard LASIK

Statistic 66

Gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis restored vision in 80% of treated patients via Luxturna

Statistic 67

3D-printed custom ocular prosthetics reduced production time from weeks to days

Statistic 68

Blue light filtering lenses with nano-coatings block 98% HEV light without color distortion

Statistic 69

Teleophthalmology platforms screened 1.2 million patients remotely in 2023 with 92% accuracy

Statistic 70

Multifocal IOLs with extended depth of focus achieved 90% spectacle independence post-cataract surgery

Statistic 71

Wearable perimetry devices for home glaucoma monitoring approved in EU 2023

Statistic 72

Stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium patches restored vision in dry AMD trials

Statistic 73

Photochromic lenses transition in 0.5 seconds with UV activation up to 85% tint

Statistic 74

VR-based vision therapy improved amblyopia treatment efficacy by 50% in children

Statistic 75

CRISPR-Cas9 editing corrected 60% of RPE65 mutations in lab models for retinal dystrophy

Statistic 76

Intraocular pressure sensors in contact lenses transmit data wirelessly to apps

Statistic 77

Hyperspectral imaging detects early diabetic retinopathy with 97% sensitivity

Statistic 78

Light-adjustable lenses post-cataract allow non-invasive power tweaks via UV light

Statistic 79

Bionic eyes with 378 electrodes restored form vision in retinitis pigmentosa patients

Statistic 80

Digital therapeutics apps reduced myopia progression by 59% in children studies

Statistic 81

U.S. has 19,000 optometrists, representing 70% of eye care professionals in 2023

Statistic 82

Global ophthalmologists number 250,000, with shortage of 100,000 in low-income countries

Statistic 83

75% of U.S. eye exams performed by optometrists, 25% by ophthalmologists in 2023

Statistic 84

India employs 15,000 ophthalmologists for 1.4 billion population, ratio 1:90,000

Statistic 85

Optical dispensers in UK total 25,000, with 12% annual training compliance rate

Statistic 86

45% of eye care professionals in U.S. are female, up from 30% in 2010

Statistic 87

Australia has 5,500 optometrists, serving 26 million with 1:4,700 ratio

Statistic 88

Residency-trained ophthalmologists in U.S. increased 20% to 6,000 since 2015

Statistic 89

China trains 10,000 new eye care specialists yearly, but urban-rural gap persists

Statistic 90

Orthoptists number 1,800 in U.S., specializing in strabismus and pediatric care

Statistic 91

EU directive requires 5-year training for optometrists, with 50,000 practitioners total

Statistic 92

30% of U.S. optometrists plan retirement by 2030, creating 10,000 job openings

Statistic 93

Brazil has 8,000 ophthalmologists, density 4 per 100,000 population

Statistic 94

Dispensing opticians in U.S. total 70,000, handling 80% of eyewear fittings

Statistic 95

Africa has only 4,000 ophthalmologists for 1.4 billion people, ratio 1:350,000

Statistic 96

Canada optometry workforce at 8,500, with Indigenous areas underserved at 1:15,000

Statistic 97

65% of eye care pros use EHR systems, improving efficiency by 25%

Statistic 98

Japan has 12,000 ophthalmologists, highest density at 10 per 100,000

Statistic 99

Vision rehabilitation specialists in U.S. number 4,000, demand up 15% post-COVID

Statistic 100

Germany trains 1,200 optometrists annually, total workforce 18,000

Statistic 101

55% of U.S. ophthalmologists subspecialize, led by retina at 20%

Statistic 102

South Korea eye care pros include 7,000 optometrists and 4,500 ophthalmologists

Statistic 103

Low vision therapists globally estimated at 20,000, insufficient for 250 million impaired

Statistic 104

Mexico has 5,500 ophthalmologists, ratio 1:23,000 population

1/104

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With over 2.2 billion people worldwide living with vision impairment, the global eyecare industry is undergoing a massive transformation, driven by technological innovation and shifting consumer habits, to meet this urgent and growing need.

Key Takeaways

The global eyecare products market was valued at USD 14.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030, driven by rising prevalence of eye disorders and aging population
U.S. vision care market revenue reached $28.4 billion in 2022, with contact lenses accounting for 32% of total sales
The Asia Pacific eyecare market is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 7.1% during 2023-2030 due to increasing diabetic population and urbanization
Approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment, with 1 billion cases unaddressed
In the U.S., 12 million people aged 40+ have cataracts affecting vision, representing 18.5% prevalence
Global myopia prevalence among children aged 6-19 years reached 34% in 2023, up from 23% in 1990
U.S. consumers spent $6.2 billion on eyeglasses and contact lenses in 2023, averaging $185 per person annually
64% of U.S. adults aged 18-34 purchased eyewear online in 2023, compared to 42% of those over 55
Millennial women spend 25% more on luxury sunglasses than average consumers, averaging $250 per pair
AI-powered virtual try-on tools increased conversion rates by 2.5x, boosting sales 25%
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery adoption reached 45% in U.S. in 2023, reducing complications by 30%
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses now hold 70% market share due to 7-day wear capability
U.S. has 19,000 optometrists, representing 70% of eye care professionals in 2023
Global ophthalmologists number 250,000, with shortage of 100,000 in low-income countries
75% of U.S. eye exams performed by optometrists, 25% by ophthalmologists in 2023

The global eyecare market is growing steadily due to rising vision disorders and an aging population.

Consumer Spending & Behavior

U.S. consumers spent $6.2 billion on eyeglasses and contact lenses in 2023, averaging $185 per person annually
64% of U.S. adults aged 18-34 purchased eyewear online in 2023, compared to 42% of those over 55
Millennial women spend 25% more on luxury sunglasses than average consumers, averaging $250 per pair
71% of spectacle wearers replace frames every 2 years, spending $150-300 per purchase globally
Contact lens wearers in Europe spend €120 annually on solutions and replacements on average
52% of U.S. parents prioritize blue light blocking glasses for children, willing to pay 20% premium
Global average annual spend on eye exams is $50 in developed markets, with 68% compliance rate
Prescription sunglasses account for 15% of U.S. eyewear sales, with average price $220 in 2023
40% of Gen Z consumers prefer sustainable eyewear brands, paying 15-30% more
U.K. consumers spent £1.2 billion on contact lenses in 2023, with 25% increase in daily disposables
55% of smartphone users over 40 buy anti-glare coatings, adding $50 to lens cost
Average lifetime eyewear spend per U.S. consumer is $12,500 from age 10 to 80
Japan sees 78% of adults owning multiple eyewear pairs, averaging ¥20,000 per pair
62% of U.S. women purchase makeup-friendly eyewear, spending 18% above average
Orthokeratology lens users spend $2,000-4,000 annually worldwide for myopia control
45% of insured Americans skip eye exams due to $20-50 copays
Australia contact lens market consumer spend hit AUD 450 million in 2023, up 7%
Global AR/VR eyewear trial purchases rose 35% in 2023 among gamers, average $300
70% of U.S. seniors on Medicare spend out-of-pocket $200+ yearly on vision aids
Brazil eyewear e-commerce grew 28% in 2023, average basket $80 per transaction

Consumer Spending & Behavior Interpretation

The eye care industry clearly sees our collective blurriness as a remarkable business opportunity, with consumers from teens to seniors dutifully funding the quest for 20/20 vision through a costly cycle of online frames, blue light paranoia, luxury shades, and copay-avoidance that proves we'll pay almost anything to both see and be seen.

Market Size & Growth

The global eyecare products market was valued at USD 14.9 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030, driven by rising prevalence of eye disorders and aging population
U.S. vision care market revenue reached $28.4 billion in 2022, with contact lenses accounting for 32% of total sales
The Asia Pacific eyecare market is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 7.1% during 2023-2030 due to increasing diabetic population and urbanization
Global ophthalmic devices market size was USD 52.8 billion in 2022, anticipated to expand at 5.4% CAGR till 2032, fueled by cataract surgeries
European contact lens market generated $3.2 billion in 2023, with daily disposables growing at 8.2% annually
Dry eye syndrome treatment market valued at $5.1 billion globally in 2023, expected to reach $8.9 billion by 2032 at 6.3% CAGR
U.S. eyewear market e-commerce sales hit $2.8 billion in 2023, representing 25% of total eyewear sales
Global myopia management market size estimated at $8.4 billion in 2024, growing to $15.2 billion by 2030 at 10.4% CAGR
Refractive surgery market worldwide valued at $2.3 billion in 2022, projected to grow at 5.7% CAGR through 2030
Artificial tears market reached $3.6 billion in 2023 globally, with prescription drops segment at 45% share
Indian eyecare market valued at INR 25,000 crore in 2023, expected to double by 2028 due to rising disposable incomes
Global smart eyewear market size was $1.2 billion in 2023, forecasted to hit $5.1 billion by 2030 at 23.5% CAGR
Latin America ophthalmic market grew 6.8% YoY in 2023 to reach $4.7 billion, led by Brazil and Mexico
Over-the-counter eye care products market in North America valued at $2.9 billion in 2022, CAGR 4.2% to 2030
Global pediatric ophthalmology devices market at $1.8 billion in 2023, projected 6.9% CAGR to 2031
China eyeglasses market revenue exceeded CNY 100 billion in 2023, with online sales at 60% share
Veterinary ophthalmology market globally valued at $0.45 billion in 2023, growing at 7.2% CAGR to 2030
Sunglasses market in the U.S. generated $4.1 billion in 2023, luxury segment up 12% YoY
Global glaucoma therapeutics market size $6.5 billion in 2022, expected 5.8% CAGR to 2030
Middle East & Africa eyecare market projected to grow from $2.1 billion in 2023 to $3.8 billion by 2030 at 8.9% CAGR

Market Size & Growth Interpretation

It seems humanity is in a desperate race to see clearly, whether that means buying glasses online, treating dry eyes with expensive drops, or surgically upgrading our vision, all while our pets are getting their own eye exams and our sunglasses are becoming a luxury status symbol.

Prevalence of Eye Conditions

Approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide have vision impairment, with 1 billion cases unaddressed
In the U.S., 12 million people aged 40+ have cataracts affecting vision, representing 18.5% prevalence
Global myopia prevalence among children aged 6-19 years reached 34% in 2023, up from 23% in 1990
Diabetic retinopathy affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes globally, totaling over 100 million cases in 2023
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) impacts 196 million people worldwide in 2020, projected to 288 million by 2040
Dry eye disease prevalence is 5-50% in the U.S. population, affecting 16 million adults
Glaucoma affects 80 million people globally, with 50% undiagnosed, leading to 4.5 million blindness cases
In India, 135 million people suffer from vision impairment, with 8 million blind
Presbyopia affects 1.8 billion adults worldwide, with 86% in low/middle-income countries
Retinal detachment incidence is 12.5 cases per 100,000 people annually in the U.S.
Keratoconus prevalence estimated at 1 in 2,000 globally, higher in Middle East at 1 in 500
Uveitis affects 38 cases per 100,000 people yearly in the U.S., totaling 115,000 new cases
Pterygium prevalence reaches 12% in equatorial regions due to UV exposure
Blepharitis impacts 47% of ophthalmology patients in U.S. clinics annually
Strabismus affects 2-4% of the U.S. population, or about 9 million people
Color vision deficiency (color blindness) occurs in 8% of males and 0.5% of females globally
Conjunctivitis cases total 3.7 million visits to U.S. emergency departments yearly
Amblyopia (lazy eye) prevalence is 2-3% in children under 6 years worldwide
Globally, 36 million blind and 253 million visually impaired in 2023

Prevalence of Eye Conditions Interpretation

We are a world squinting through a preventable crisis, where nearly half of humanity's vision problems go uncorrected while, from myopia in children to blindness from glaucoma, countless millions are needlessly losing sight to conditions we already know how to treat or manage.

Technological Innovations

AI-powered virtual try-on tools increased conversion rates by 2.5x, boosting sales 25%
Femtosecond laser cataract surgery adoption reached 45% in U.S. in 2023, reducing complications by 30%
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses now hold 70% market share due to 7-day wear capability
OCT imaging devices integrated AI for glaucoma detection with 95% accuracy in 2023 trials
Smart contact lenses for glucose monitoring entered Phase III trials in 2024, measuring tears accurately
Wavefront-guided LASIK improved night vision outcomes by 40% over standard LASIK
Gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis restored vision in 80% of treated patients via Luxturna
3D-printed custom ocular prosthetics reduced production time from weeks to days
Blue light filtering lenses with nano-coatings block 98% HEV light without color distortion
Teleophthalmology platforms screened 1.2 million patients remotely in 2023 with 92% accuracy
Multifocal IOLs with extended depth of focus achieved 90% spectacle independence post-cataract surgery
Wearable perimetry devices for home glaucoma monitoring approved in EU 2023
Stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium patches restored vision in dry AMD trials
Photochromic lenses transition in 0.5 seconds with UV activation up to 85% tint
VR-based vision therapy improved amblyopia treatment efficacy by 50% in children
CRISPR-Cas9 editing corrected 60% of RPE65 mutations in lab models for retinal dystrophy
Intraocular pressure sensors in contact lenses transmit data wirelessly to apps
Hyperspectral imaging detects early diabetic retinopathy with 97% sensitivity
Light-adjustable lenses post-cataract allow non-invasive power tweaks via UV light
Bionic eyes with 378 electrodes restored form vision in retinitis pigmentosa patients
Digital therapeutics apps reduced myopia progression by 59% in children studies

Technological Innovations Interpretation

While AI is helping us see what we want to buy and lasers are helping us see better, the real visionaries are the scientists using gene therapy and bionics to rebuild sight itself, proving the future of eye care isn't just about correction, but restoration.

Workforce & Professional Statistics

U.S. has 19,000 optometrists, representing 70% of eye care professionals in 2023
Global ophthalmologists number 250,000, with shortage of 100,000 in low-income countries
75% of U.S. eye exams performed by optometrists, 25% by ophthalmologists in 2023
India employs 15,000 ophthalmologists for 1.4 billion population, ratio 1:90,000
Optical dispensers in UK total 25,000, with 12% annual training compliance rate
45% of eye care professionals in U.S. are female, up from 30% in 2010
Australia has 5,500 optometrists, serving 26 million with 1:4,700 ratio
Residency-trained ophthalmologists in U.S. increased 20% to 6,000 since 2015
China trains 10,000 new eye care specialists yearly, but urban-rural gap persists
Orthoptists number 1,800 in U.S., specializing in strabismus and pediatric care
EU directive requires 5-year training for optometrists, with 50,000 practitioners total
30% of U.S. optometrists plan retirement by 2030, creating 10,000 job openings
Brazil has 8,000 ophthalmologists, density 4 per 100,000 population
Dispensing opticians in U.S. total 70,000, handling 80% of eyewear fittings
Africa has only 4,000 ophthalmologists for 1.4 billion people, ratio 1:350,000
Canada optometry workforce at 8,500, with Indigenous areas underserved at 1:15,000
65% of eye care pros use EHR systems, improving efficiency by 25%
Japan has 12,000 ophthalmologists, highest density at 10 per 100,000
Vision rehabilitation specialists in U.S. number 4,000, demand up 15% post-COVID
Germany trains 1,200 optometrists annually, total workforce 18,000
55% of U.S. ophthalmologists subspecialize, led by retina at 20%
South Korea eye care pros include 7,000 optometrists and 4,500 ophthalmologists
Low vision therapists globally estimated at 20,000, insufficient for 250 million impaired
Mexico has 5,500 ophthalmologists, ratio 1:23,000 population

Workforce & Professional Statistics Interpretation

While the global eye care landscape is a patchwork of progress and profound disparity—from impressive training outputs in China to critical shortages leaving millions in Africa essentially unseen—the profession's future hinges on closing these gaps with the same precision used to prescribe a lens.

Sources & References

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