GITNUXREPORT 2025

Optometry Industry Statistics

Optometry industry booming, market exceeds $52.8 billion globally, evolving rapidly.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Myopia affects about 30% of the adult population worldwide

Statistic 2

The prevalence of presbyopia is expected to reach 1.8 billion people globally by 2023

Statistic 3

Digital eye strain affects approximately 59% of people working primarily on computers

Statistic 4

The prevalence of dry eye disease has increased by approximately 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 5

The percentage of children with myopia has increased by 25% over the past decade

Statistic 6

The percentage of elderly patients (65+) requiring vision correction is over 75%

Statistic 7

About 25% of American adults experience some form of visual discomfort linked with digital device use

Statistic 8

The average age at which people seek their first eye exam is around 5 to 7 years old

Statistic 9

The eyewear segment of the optometry industry held approximately 55% of the market share in 2022

Statistic 10

About 65% of adult Americans require some form of vision correction

Statistic 11

The adoption of tele-optometry services increased by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 12

Digital device usage time for adults increased by an average of 3.5 hours daily during the pandemic

Statistic 13

The percentage of optometrists offering specialty services such as low vision has increased to over 40% in recent years

Statistic 14

About 80% of adults in the U.S. with vision problems do not wear corrective glasses or contact lenses

Statistic 15

Pediatric visual assessments at school-based programs have increased by 30% in the last decade

Statistic 16

The percentage of consumers purchasing eyewear online increased to nearly 40% in 2023

Statistic 17

Satisfaction rates among patients receiving tele-optometry services are approximately 87%, according to recent surveys

Statistic 18

The retention rate for patients returning for follow-up examinations is around 70% in well-managed practices

Statistic 19

The global optometry market was valued at approximately $52.8 billion in 2022

Statistic 20

The contact lens segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 21

In 2022, the average annual revenue per optometrist in the U.S. was around $420,000

Statistic 22

The global vision care market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 23

The global contact lens market was valued at over $10 billion in 2022

Statistic 24

Approximately 2 million Americans wear contact lenses as of 2023

Statistic 25

The global dry eye syndrome market size was valued at $4.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% through 2030

Statistic 26

The number of optical shops in North America exceeds 25,000 as of 2023

Statistic 27

The number of contact lenses prescribed in the U.S. increased by 8% between 2018 and 2022

Statistic 28

The global market for spectacle lenses is projected to reach $16 billion by 2025

Statistic 29

The total annual global expenditure on vision correction devices and services exceeds $100 billion

Statistic 30

The global specialty contact lens market size is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025

Statistic 31

The number of annual eye exams conducted globally is estimated at over 900 million

Statistic 32

The average reimbursement rate for eye exams covered by insurance is approximately $85 per visit

Statistic 33

The global market for anti-reflective coatings on lenses is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% through 2027

Statistic 34

The global laser vision correction market was valued at over $4.5 billion in 2022

Statistic 35

The number of licensed optometrists in the United States exceeded 41,000 in 2022

Statistic 36

The number of optometry practices in the U.S. increased by 12% between 2015 and 2021

Statistic 37

The majority of optometrists (around 70%) are involved in some form of retail or private practice

Statistic 38

The number of optometry schools in the U.S. is 22 as of 2023

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Female optometrists account for approximately 50% of the optometry workforce in the U.S.

Statistic 40

The average student loan debt for optometry graduates is around $200,000

Statistic 41

The average wait time for an eye exam in major U.S. metro areas is approximately 15 days

Statistic 42

Approximately 60% of optometrists in the U.S. participate in insurance networks

Statistic 43

The number of optometrists providing pediatric eye care increased by 20% in the last five years

Statistic 44

The proportion of optometrists working in multi-specialty clinics increased from 15% in 2015 to 33% in 2023

Statistic 45

The optometry industry is expected to generate over 10 million new jobs globally by 2030

Statistic 46

The majority of new optometry students (around 60%) are women, reflecting increasing gender diversity in the industry

Statistic 47

The percentage of optometrists offering contact lens training and coaching increased to 55% in recent years

Statistic 48

The percentage of optometry practices offering advanced diagnostic technology increased by 35% between 2018 and 2022

Statistic 49

The use of augmented reality and virtual reality diagnostic tools in optometry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2028

Statistic 50

The adoption of electronic health records (EHR) in optometry practices is at 90% as of 2023

Statistic 51

The use of AI in optometry for diagnostic and treatment planning is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% over the next five years

Statistic 52

The adoption of digital eye health solutions in developing countries has increased by over 200% in the last five years

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Key Highlights

  • The global optometry market was valued at approximately $52.8 billion in 2022
  • The number of licensed optometrists in the United States exceeded 41,000 in 2022
  • Myopia affects about 30% of the adult population worldwide
  • The prevalence of presbyopia is expected to reach 1.8 billion people globally by 2023
  • The eyewear segment of the optometry industry held approximately 55% of the market share in 2022
  • The contact lens segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2023 to 2030
  • The number of optometry practices in the U.S. increased by 12% between 2015 and 2021
  • In 2022, the average annual revenue per optometrist in the U.S. was around $420,000
  • Digital eye strain affects approximately 59% of people working primarily on computers
  • The prevalence of dry eye disease has increased by approximately 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The global vision care market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030
  • The majority of optometrists (around 70%) are involved in some form of retail or private practice
  • About 65% of adult Americans require some form of vision correction

The optometry industry is experiencing a remarkable transformation, with a global market valued at over $52.8 billion in 2022, propelled by rising demand for digital eye care, innovative technologies, and a rapidly growing need for vision correction across all age groups worldwide.

Eye Conditions and Patient Demographics

  • Myopia affects about 30% of the adult population worldwide
  • The prevalence of presbyopia is expected to reach 1.8 billion people globally by 2023
  • Digital eye strain affects approximately 59% of people working primarily on computers
  • The prevalence of dry eye disease has increased by approximately 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • The percentage of children with myopia has increased by 25% over the past decade
  • The percentage of elderly patients (65+) requiring vision correction is over 75%
  • About 25% of American adults experience some form of visual discomfort linked with digital device use
  • The average age at which people seek their first eye exam is around 5 to 7 years old

Eye Conditions and Patient Demographics Interpretation

As digital screens increasingly dominate our lives and our ages, the optometry industry faces a clear call to action: address the surging myopia—including in children—adapt to rising digital eye strain and dry eye cases, and emphasize early eye health, because without better vision solutions, we risk a future where clarity becomes a luxury for the aging—and increasingly, for the young.

Market Segments and Consumer Trends

  • The eyewear segment of the optometry industry held approximately 55% of the market share in 2022
  • About 65% of adult Americans require some form of vision correction
  • The adoption of tele-optometry services increased by over 150% during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Digital device usage time for adults increased by an average of 3.5 hours daily during the pandemic
  • The percentage of optometrists offering specialty services such as low vision has increased to over 40% in recent years
  • About 80% of adults in the U.S. with vision problems do not wear corrective glasses or contact lenses
  • Pediatric visual assessments at school-based programs have increased by 30% in the last decade
  • The percentage of consumers purchasing eyewear online increased to nearly 40% in 2023
  • Satisfaction rates among patients receiving tele-optometry services are approximately 87%, according to recent surveys
  • The retention rate for patients returning for follow-up examinations is around 70% in well-managed practices

Market Segments and Consumer Trends Interpretation

Given that over half the market is eyewear, nearly two-thirds of American adults need vision correction but many still opt out of glasses, while the rise of digital device use and tele-optometry signifies a tech-savvy sector that’s expanding services—yet the gap between those with visual needs and those seeking treatments remains a clear opportunity for innovative, accessible eye care.

Market Size and Revenue

  • The global optometry market was valued at approximately $52.8 billion in 2022
  • The contact lens segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2023 to 2030
  • In 2022, the average annual revenue per optometrist in the U.S. was around $420,000
  • The global vision care market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2030
  • The global contact lens market was valued at over $10 billion in 2022
  • Approximately 2 million Americans wear contact lenses as of 2023
  • The global dry eye syndrome market size was valued at $4.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% through 2030
  • The number of optical shops in North America exceeds 25,000 as of 2023
  • The number of contact lenses prescribed in the U.S. increased by 8% between 2018 and 2022
  • The global market for spectacle lenses is projected to reach $16 billion by 2025
  • The total annual global expenditure on vision correction devices and services exceeds $100 billion
  • The global specialty contact lens market size is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2025
  • The number of annual eye exams conducted globally is estimated at over 900 million
  • The average reimbursement rate for eye exams covered by insurance is approximately $85 per visit
  • The global market for anti-reflective coatings on lenses is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% through 2027
  • The global laser vision correction market was valued at over $4.5 billion in 2022

Market Size and Revenue Interpretation

With a global eye economy surpassing $100 billion and growing steadily from dry eyes to laser corrections, it's clear that while our vision remains crystal clear, the industry's outlook is anything but blurry.

Optometry Workforce and Education

  • The number of licensed optometrists in the United States exceeded 41,000 in 2022
  • The number of optometry practices in the U.S. increased by 12% between 2015 and 2021
  • The majority of optometrists (around 70%) are involved in some form of retail or private practice
  • The number of optometry schools in the U.S. is 22 as of 2023
  • Female optometrists account for approximately 50% of the optometry workforce in the U.S.
  • The average student loan debt for optometry graduates is around $200,000
  • The average wait time for an eye exam in major U.S. metro areas is approximately 15 days
  • Approximately 60% of optometrists in the U.S. participate in insurance networks
  • The number of optometrists providing pediatric eye care increased by 20% in the last five years
  • The proportion of optometrists working in multi-specialty clinics increased from 15% in 2015 to 33% in 2023
  • The optometry industry is expected to generate over 10 million new jobs globally by 2030
  • The majority of new optometry students (around 60%) are women, reflecting increasing gender diversity in the industry
  • The percentage of optometrists offering contact lens training and coaching increased to 55% in recent years

Optometry Workforce and Education Interpretation

With over 41,000 licensed U.S. optometrists and a practice growth of 12% since 2015—shirtless yet sharp-eyed—this thriving industry, now boasting equal gender representation and expanding into multi-specialty clinics, faces the dual realities of a $200,000 student debt and a 15-day wait for eye exams, all while eyeing a global job market set to create 10 million opportunities by 2030.

Technology and Digital Health

  • The percentage of optometry practices offering advanced diagnostic technology increased by 35% between 2018 and 2022
  • The use of augmented reality and virtual reality diagnostic tools in optometry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% through 2028
  • The adoption of electronic health records (EHR) in optometry practices is at 90% as of 2023
  • The use of AI in optometry for diagnostic and treatment planning is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% over the next five years
  • The adoption of digital eye health solutions in developing countries has increased by over 200% in the last five years

Technology and Digital Health Interpretation

As optometry practices rapidly embrace cutting-edge technology—from AR/VR diagnostics to AI-driven treatment planning—it's clear the industry is shifting towards a future where seeing clearly means seeing smarter, faster, and more globally accessible.