Focused inSights: Safety Eyewear Report 2024

The Focused inSights: Safety Eyewear 2024 report from The Vision Council explores consumer usage, preferences, and purchasing behaviors related to both protective sports eyewear and safety eyewear. Drawing on nationally representative data, the report highlights when and why U.S. adults wear protective eyewear, what factors drive their purchasing decisions, and how product features like fit, certifications, and prescription compatibility influence adoption. This study provides manufacturers, retailers, and safety professionals with a clear picture of consumer engagement in the protective eyewear category.

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Report Methodology

The survey was conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of The Vision Council between August 13–19, 2024. Responses were collected from 2,200 U.S. adults via online interviews, weighted to reflect national demographics including age, gender, race, education, and region. The margin of error for the full sample is ±2.5 percentage points.

Key Findings

There is Widespread Use Across Contexts

Roughly one in four adults (27%) report wearing protective sports eyewear, with swimming, basketball, and paintball among the most common activities. A slightly larger share (31%) say they wear safety eyewear like goggles or safety glasses—most often during yard work, home renovations, or on the job.

Fit and Function Matter Most

When choosing protective eyewear, consumers consistently prioritize fit (83% sports; 83% safety), material, and shape over brand or color. Certification labels such as ANSI and ASTM are viewed as important by over half of respondents, though many do not fully understand the difference between the two.

Prescription Integration is Common

Among those who own protective eyewear and use prescription lenses, nearly half (49% for sports; 48% for safety) report having prescription inserts or lenses integrated into their protective eyewear—highlighting a key opportunity for vision-corrected safety products.

Why It Matters

This report provides a timely, data-driven look into a niche yet essential eyewear segment. As demand grows for safety and performance gear in both professional and recreational settings, understanding how consumers evaluate and adopt protective eyewear can help industry stakeholders refine product offerings, enhance user comfort, and better address prescription needs across diverse activities.

Report Delivery

The report will be delivered as a downloadable PDF.

To request a presentation-ready version or discuss key findings, please contact The Vision Council’s Research Team.