Market inSights Quarterly Report Q1 2025
Report Summary
The Market inSights: Q1 2025 Report from The Vision Council offers an overview of consumer activity and market performance across the U.S. optical industry. Powered by a robust modeling approach that integrates consumer surveys, retail transaction data, and billing insights, this quarterly report estimates the size and movement of the market by product category—including exams, frames, lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, and readers. The Q1 2025 edition highlights early-year trends, volume shifts, and value growth in both prescription and non-prescription segments. It also includes an updated forecast for 2025 across the following categories: eye exams, prescription lenses, frames, prescription contact lenses, reading glasses, and plano sunglasses.
Methodology
This report is developed using The Vision Council’s proprietary market model, which synthesizes monthly consumer survey data, retail credit card activity, billing records, and optical location data. Estimates are refreshed monthly to maintain alignment with the latest trends and are subject to revision over the course of the year. The model provides both market volume and market value by product type, with quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year comparisons.
Key Findings
Overall Market Value Increases
The total market value grew across most categories in Q1 2025, led by lenses and plano sunglasses. Compared to Q1 2024, all product categories except contact lenses saw increases in value.
Contact Lenses Rebound in Volume but Decline Year-over-Year
Contact lenses increased volume from Q4 2024—but volume remains below Q1 2024 levels. Value rose quarter-over-quarter, despite an overall annual decline.
Premium Pricing Lifts Average Values Across Categories
Even as unit volumes declined for lenses and frames, rising average prices helped sustain or grow total market value. Readers saw increased market share at mid-tier price points.
Why It Matters
The Market inSights series delivers critical visibility into quarterly consumer behavior and spending in the optical market. With clear indicators of shifting volume, pricing power, and product mix, this report helps manufacturers, retailers, and service providers track trends and plan effectively. The Q1 2025 report also provides an updated full-year forecast, anticipating modest volume declines but continued growth in overall market value due to price increases and product mix evolution.
Report Delivery
This report is available as a downloadable PDF.