GITNUXREPORT 2025

Eyewear Industry Statistics

Global eyewear market grows rapidly driven by prescription, fashion, and sustainability trends.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Nearly 60% of adults in the US wear glasses or contact lenses

Statistic 2

The eyewear industry is seeing a shift toward sustainable materials, with 35% of consumers preferring eco-friendly options

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Millennials make up approximately 40% of the eyewear market

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The female eyewear market accounts for approximately 55% of total sales

Statistic 5

More than 80% of US adults over 40 experience some degree of presbyopia

Statistic 6

About 90% of children in the US who need vision correction do not wear glasses

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The average replacement cycle for sunglasses is approximately 2 years

Statistic 8

The demand for customized and personalized eyewear is increasing, with over 40% of consumers interested in bespoke options

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The average age of eyewear consumers is increasing, with a significant rise in buyers over 50 years old

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The global eyewear market was valued at approximately $138.4 billion in 2022

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The eyewear segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.4% from 2023 to 2030

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Approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide needed vision correction in 2022

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The optometry services market is projected to reach $55 billion by 2025

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Contact lenses hold about 22% of the global eyewear market

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The online optical retail segment is growing at a CAGR of over 8%

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Blue light blocking glasses are becoming mainstream, with revenue expected to reach $3 billion by 2025

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The global sunglasses market was valued at around $23 billion in 2022

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The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the eyewear market through 2030, with a CAGR of 5%

Statistic 19

The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, projected to affect 50% of the world’s population by 2050

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The fashion eyewear segment is growing faster than prescription eyewear, with a CAGR of about 5%

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The penetration of smart eyewear (AR/VR) is expected to reach 15% of the market by 2030

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The use of 3D printing in eyewear manufacturing is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2028

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The global market for anti-reflective coatings on eyewear is projected to reach $5 billion by 2028

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Casual and sports eyewear is a growing segment, with an estimated CAGR of 6%

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The global market for luxury eyewear is projected to reach $15 billion by 2027

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The global industrial safety eyewear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2028

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The percentage of pair of glasses with anti-scratch coating has increased to over 65%

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Eyewear e-commerce sales accounted for approximately 20% of total eyewear sales globally in 2022

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The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online sales of eyewear by 15-20%

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The use of eco-friendly and recycled materials in eyewear frames is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% through 2027

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The number of independent eyewear retailers worldwide is decreasing due to market consolidation, with a decline of 10% over the last five years

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The average profit margin for retail eyewear stores ranges from 30% to 50%, depending on brand and location

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The use of polarized lenses in sunglasses has increased by 20% in the last five years

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The annual global marketing spend on eyewear advertising exceeds $1 billion

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The fastest-growing segment within the eyewear industry is prescription sports eyewear, with a CAGR of 6.5%

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The global demand for prescription lenses is projected to grow to over 5 billion units sold annually by 2025

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Manufacturing of eyewear using sustainable bio-based plastics increased by 15% in 2022

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The penetration of designer and luxury eyewear in emerging markets is expected to reach 25% by 2026

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The number of consumers purchasing eyewear via subscription services is growing at 12% annually

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The use of anti-fog coatings on eyewear has increased 35% in the last two years

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The growth of AI-powered personalized lens recommendations is expected to increase sales by 10% annually

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The majority of eyewear sales (over 60%) are for prescription glasses

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The average price of a pair of prescription glasses is around $300

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The average lifespan of a pair of glasses is about 2 years

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The most popular eyeglass frame styles in 2023 are oversized square and round frames

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The adoption rate of rimless glasses is increasing, with about 30% of consumers preferring this style

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The most common materials for eyewear frames are plastic (about 70%) and metal (around 25%)

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The largest market for eyewear is Asia-Pacific, accounting for about 50% of the global market

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The average cost of healthcare glasses in Europe ranges from €50 to €150, depending on the features

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The optical retail sector is consolidating, with the top 10 companies holding over 50% of market share in many regions

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The adoption of digital try-on technology in eyewear stores has increased by over 30% in the past three years

Statistic 52

The number of patents filed related to augmented reality glasses has increased by over 50% in the last three years

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Key Highlights

The global eyewear market was valued at approximately $138.4 billion in 2022
The eyewear segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.4% from 2023 to 2030
Approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide needed vision correction in 2022
The majority of eyewear sales (over 60%) are for prescription glasses
The optometry services market is projected to reach $55 billion by 2025
Contact lenses hold about 22% of the global eyewear market
The online optical retail segment is growing at a CAGR of over 8%
The largest market for eyewear is Asia-Pacific, accounting for about 50% of the global market
The average price of a pair of prescription glasses is around $300
Blue light blocking glasses are becoming mainstream, with revenue expected to reach $3 billion by 2025
Nearly 60% of adults in the US wear glasses or contact lenses
The eyewear industry is seeing a shift toward sustainable materials, with 35% of consumers preferring eco-friendly options
Millennials make up approximately 40% of the eyewear market

The eyewear industry is soaring into a $138.4 billion global market, driven by surging demand for prescription glasses, innovative smart and eco-friendly designs, and rapid growth in online retail, signaling a transformative era for vision care and fashion worldwide.

Consumer Demographics and Behavior

Nearly 60% of adults in the US wear glasses or contact lenses
The eyewear industry is seeing a shift toward sustainable materials, with 35% of consumers preferring eco-friendly options
Millennials make up approximately 40% of the eyewear market
The female eyewear market accounts for approximately 55% of total sales
More than 80% of US adults over 40 experience some degree of presbyopia
About 90% of children in the US who need vision correction do not wear glasses
The average replacement cycle for sunglasses is approximately 2 years
The demand for customized and personalized eyewear is increasing, with over 40% of consumers interested in bespoke options
The average age of eyewear consumers is increasing, with a significant rise in buyers over 50 years old

Consumer Demographics and Behavior Interpretation

As the eyewear industry evolves from sustainable chic favored by Millennials and women to addressing the overlooked needs of uncorrected vision among children and seniors, it’s clear that society’s focus on clear vision is as dynamic and diverse as the frames themselves.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global eyewear market was valued at approximately $138.4 billion in 2022
The eyewear segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.4% from 2023 to 2030
Approximately 2.7 billion people worldwide needed vision correction in 2022
The optometry services market is projected to reach $55 billion by 2025
Contact lenses hold about 22% of the global eyewear market
The online optical retail segment is growing at a CAGR of over 8%
Blue light blocking glasses are becoming mainstream, with revenue expected to reach $3 billion by 2025
The global sunglasses market was valued at around $23 billion in 2022
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the eyewear market through 2030, with a CAGR of 5%
The prevalence of myopia is increasing globally, projected to affect 50% of the world’s population by 2050
The fashion eyewear segment is growing faster than prescription eyewear, with a CAGR of about 5%
The penetration of smart eyewear (AR/VR) is expected to reach 15% of the market by 2030
The use of 3D printing in eyewear manufacturing is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2028
The global market for anti-reflective coatings on eyewear is projected to reach $5 billion by 2028
Casual and sports eyewear is a growing segment, with an estimated CAGR of 6%
The global market for luxury eyewear is projected to reach $15 billion by 2027
The global industrial safety eyewear market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% through 2028
The percentage of pair of glasses with anti-scratch coating has increased to over 65%
Eyewear e-commerce sales accounted for approximately 20% of total eyewear sales globally in 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated online sales of eyewear by 15-20%
The use of eco-friendly and recycled materials in eyewear frames is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% through 2027
The number of independent eyewear retailers worldwide is decreasing due to market consolidation, with a decline of 10% over the last five years
The average profit margin for retail eyewear stores ranges from 30% to 50%, depending on brand and location
The use of polarized lenses in sunglasses has increased by 20% in the last five years
The annual global marketing spend on eyewear advertising exceeds $1 billion
The fastest-growing segment within the eyewear industry is prescription sports eyewear, with a CAGR of 6.5%
The global demand for prescription lenses is projected to grow to over 5 billion units sold annually by 2025
Manufacturing of eyewear using sustainable bio-based plastics increased by 15% in 2022
The penetration of designer and luxury eyewear in emerging markets is expected to reach 25% by 2026
The number of consumers purchasing eyewear via subscription services is growing at 12% annually
The use of anti-fog coatings on eyewear has increased 35% in the last two years
The growth of AI-powered personalized lens recommendations is expected to increase sales by 10% annually

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With a global market surpassing $138 billion and innovative segments like smart, eco-friendly, and subscription eyewear booming, the industry’s clear vision is set on expanding at a steady 4.4% CAGR—making it evident that whether through fashion, function, or tech, eyewear is no longer just a vision correction tool, but a clear lens into a future of diverse opportunities.

Product Segments and Styles

The majority of eyewear sales (over 60%) are for prescription glasses
The average price of a pair of prescription glasses is around $300
The average lifespan of a pair of glasses is about 2 years
The most popular eyeglass frame styles in 2023 are oversized square and round frames
The adoption rate of rimless glasses is increasing, with about 30% of consumers preferring this style
The most common materials for eyewear frames are plastic (about 70%) and metal (around 25%)

Product Segments and Styles Interpretation

With prescription glasses serving as the eye-opener of the eyewear industry, averaging $300 and a two-year lifespan, the ascendance of rimless styles and the dominance of plastic and metal frames reveal a market that’s mixing timeless function with a dash of fashionable flair—perhaps forever viewing eyewear as both necessity and statement.

Regional Markets and Industry Dynamics

The largest market for eyewear is Asia-Pacific, accounting for about 50% of the global market
The average cost of healthcare glasses in Europe ranges from €50 to €150, depending on the features
The optical retail sector is consolidating, with the top 10 companies holding over 50% of market share in many regions

Regional Markets and Industry Dynamics Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific eyeballing half the world's eyewear market, European glasses costing as much as a fancy dinner highlight a lucrative yet competitive optical landscape where industry giant consolidation keeps vision—and profit—sharp.

Technology and Innovation in Eyewear

The adoption of digital try-on technology in eyewear stores has increased by over 30% in the past three years
The number of patents filed related to augmented reality glasses has increased by over 50% in the last three years

Technology and Innovation in Eyewear Interpretation

With digital try-ons skyrocketing and patent filings for AR glasses surging by over 50%, the eyewear industry is undeniably stepping boldly into a future where virtual visibility could soon become our new standard.