Consumer inSights Q1 2025 Report

The Consumer inSights Q1 2025 Report, published by The Vision Council, provides a comprehensive look at U.S. adult consumer behavior related to vision care and eyewear. The report explores how consumers think about and engage with vision correction, eye exams, managed vision care, and eyewear purchases across a wide range of product categories. These findings are designed to help industry stakeholders understand evolving consumer habits, spending behaviors, and channel preferences as they adapt strategies for the year ahead. 

Methodology 

This nationally representative survey was fielded online by Full Circle Research between January 1 and March 12, 2025. Participants were U.S. adults aged 18 and over, selected using soft quotas based on gender, age, income, race, region, and Hispanic origin—aligned with U.S. Census Bureau data. A total of 12,002 surveys were completed, with 61% of respondents participating via mobile or tablet. The overall margin of error is ±0.9%. All results are based on unmodeled consumer-reported data and are not weighted. 

Key Findings 

Shifts in Vision Coverage 

• Over 60% of adults report having managed vision care coverage, with employer-sponsored plans remaining the most common.
• The report also includes the percentage of consumers enrolled in government-sponsored and individual plans, as well as generational and income-based breakdowns. 

Contact Lens Purchasing Behavior 

• 39% of contact lens users purchased their lenses online in Q1 2025.
• The report also includes data on preferred buying channels, supply duration, and usage of vision benefits. 

Eyewear Spending Trends 

• 40% of consumers paid less than $100 out-of-pocket for their most recent glasses purchase.
• The report also includes the share of consumers spending in higher cost brackets and insights on FSA/HSA usage. 

Reader and Sunglass Preferences 

• 35% of readers purchased were priced at $10 or less, down from previous quarters.
• The report also includes multi-pair buying trends, purchase location preferences, and blue light lens adoption rates. 

Shifting Price Points for Sunglasses and Readers 

• More than 30% of plano sunglasses purchases in this quarter were $100 or more, marking the highest rate in recent years.
• The report also includes insights into the growth of premium eyewear purchases across online and in-person channels. 

Why It Matters 

The Consumer inSights Q1 2025 Report is an essential tool for retailers, eyecare providers, and manufacturers aiming to align with current consumer behavior in the optical market. With a focus on benefit usage, retail trends, and evolving purchase preferences, this report offers critical, timely intelligence for anyone looking to better understand the modern vision care consumer. 

Report Delivery 

The report will be delivered via download in a PDF format.