Key Insights
Essential data points from our research
The global eyewear market was valued at USD 147.60 billion in 2020
The global eyewear market is expected to reach USD 278.95 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2022 to 2030
North America held a revenue share of 26.7% in the global eyewear market in 2021
Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 9.2% from 2022 to 2030 in the eyewear market
Online distribution channels accounted for more than 25.4% of global eyewear sales in 2021
Prescription glasses accounted for more than 55% of total eyewear revenue in 2021
Sunglasses accounted for a 30.3% share of the global eyewear market in 2021
Contact lenses held 14.7% of the total eyewear market value in 2021
In 2022, approximately 75% of U.S. adults use some form of vision correction
64% of adults in the U.S. wear prescription eyeglasses
11% of U.S. adults regularly wear contact lenses
The global smart eyewear market was valued at USD 6.2 billion in 2021
The smart eyewear market is projected to reach USD 33.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 21.0%
Consumer Behavior & Demographics
- In 2022, approximately 75% of U.S. adults use some form of vision correction
- 64% of adults in the U.S. wear prescription eyeglasses
- 11% of U.S. adults regularly wear contact lenses
- Ray-Ban is the most popular sunglasses brand globally
- Women account for 60% of global sunglass purchases
- Over 2.2 billion people globally suffer from vision impairment or blindness
- Uncorrected refractive errors account for 43% of visual impairments globally
- The average lifespan of a pair of prescription lenses is around 2 years
- By 2050, half of the global population is projected to be myopic
- The average contact lens wearer is between 25 and 34 years old
- One in four school-aged children has a vision problem significant enough to impact learning
- The average American replaces their eyeglasses every 2.5 years
- 48% of prescription eyeglass buyers in the U.S. are over age 55
- Men spend approximately 15% more on eyewear than women
- 85% of U.S. consumers wear non-prescription sunglasses for style and UV protection
- 61% of global eyewear consumers prefer glasses over contact lenses
- Eyewear with UV protection is used by 73% of U.S. sunglass wearers
- Blue light glasses are used by 27% of U.S. adult eyewear owners
- Warby Parker serves more than 2.25 million active customers
- 67% of eyewear consumers list comfort as a top purchasing factor
- In 2021, 5 million Americans purchased prescription eyewear online
- Men are more likely than women to buy contact lenses online
- People over 45 account for 70% of progressive lens purchases
- In Japan, 79% of the population wears glasses or contact lenses
- The average age of first-time eyeglass users is 12
- 21% of U.S. shoppers purchase eyewear at big box retailers like Costco and Walmart
- Over 75% of eyeglass wearers in the U.S. prefer anti-reflective coatings
- 62% of contact lens users experience occasional dry eyes
Interpretation
In a world where seeing clearly is increasingly non-negotiable, the eyewear industry thrives at the intersection of necessity, fashion, and technology—proving that vision correction isn’t just big business, it's a near-universal human experience shaped by aging eyes, stylish frames, and the eternal quest to read the fine print.
Distribution Channels
- Online distribution channels accounted for more than 25.4% of global eyewear sales in 2021
- Luxottica controls over 80% of the major eyewear brands worldwide
- Online sales represented 15.4% of total U.S. optical retail sales in 2022
- 40% of global sunglasses sales are made through retail stores
- Online eyewear sales make up more than 20% of total sales in Western Europe
Interpretation
As Luxottica keeps an iron grip on your favorite frames, the eyewear industry squints toward a digital future, where clicks are catching up to bricks—especially in Europe, but the showroom still steals the spotlight when it comes to shades.
Market Size & Growth
- The global eyewear market was valued at USD 147.60 billion in 2020
- The global eyewear market is expected to reach USD 278.95 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2022 to 2030
- Prescription glasses accounted for more than 55% of total eyewear revenue in 2021
- Sunglasses accounted for a 30.3% share of the global eyewear market in 2021
- Contact lenses held 14.7% of the total eyewear market value in 2021
- The global smart eyewear market was valued at USD 6.2 billion in 2021
- The smart eyewear market is projected to reach USD 33.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 21.0%
- EssilorLuxottica generated revenue of EUR 21.5 billion in 2021
- Online eyewear retail is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2030
- U.S. retail sales for eyewear and eyecare products rose to $49.47 billion in 2022
- Eyewear sales in the United States grew by 6.6% from 2021 to 2022
- Spectacle lenses accounted for $14.82 billion in U.S. sales in 2022
- The average price for prescription eyewear in the U.S. was $280 in 2022
- Children’s eyewear is projected to grow at 8.3% CAGR from 2022 to 2030
- Sales of blue light blocking glasses increased 78% in 2020 during the pandemic
- Transition lenses accounted for 7.9% of total eyewear sales in the U.S. in 2021
- The global contact lenses market size was valued at USD 14.6 billion in 2021
- The global market for sports eyewear is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2030
- Designer brands make up 29% of the global sunglasses market
- AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) smart glasses are expected to grow 31.3% annually through 2030
- Zeiss generates over EUR 2 billion in annual revenue from eyeglass lenses
- Online eyewear retailer Warby Parker generated over $540 million in revenue in 2022
- The luxury eyewear segment is expected to grow at 10.5% CAGR through 2031
- More than 1 billion people need glasses but do not have access
- Eye care accounts for nearly $35 billion in annual Medicare costs in the U.S.
- African eyewear market is projected to grow at 9.5% annually through 2030
- The Rx eyewear segment accounts for more than 62% of global eyewear sales
- The market for children's prescription glasses in the U.S. was valued at $1.1 billion in 2021
Interpretation
As vision correction becomes both a necessity and a fashion statement, the eyewear industry is seeing double-digit growth, with everything from designer shades to AR smart glasses raking in billions—proving that clear sight, it turns out, is a very lucrative outlook.
Product Attributes & Innovations
- Polarized sunglasses reduce glare by 97%, making them ideal for driving and outdoor activities
- Daily disposable lenses represent the largest segment in the global contact lens market
- Gender-neutral designs are rising in eyewear, making up 18% of new models in 2022
- Eco-friendly eyewear represented 6.5% of global eyewear launches in 2021
- Virtual try-on technology increased eyewear conversion rates by 35%
- The average lifespan of a pair of contact lenses (monthly) is 30 days
- Sustainable materials in eyewear frames increased 12% in usage from 2020 to 2022
Interpretation
From sharper sights on sunny roads to clearer visions of inclusive, eco-conscious style, the eyewear industry is proving that innovation—be it in lenses, looks, or logistics—is more than a trend; it’s a focused future in high definition.
Regional Insights
- North America held a revenue share of 26.7% in the global eyewear market in 2021
- Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 9.2% from 2022 to 2030 in the eyewear market
- Over 90% of people with unaddressed vision impairment live in low- and middle-income countries
- Maui Jim holds about 7% market share in the U.S. premium sunglasses market
- Europe accounted for 29.5% of global eyewear revenue in 2021
- Colombia has a national program to reduce uncorrected refractive errors by 50% by 2030
Interpretation
While Europe and North America currently see the lion’s share of eyewear revenue, Asia Pacific is squinting into a high-growth future, Colombia is setting its sights on equitable vision care, and Maui Jim proves that even in a crowded field, a clear focus can claim a stylish slice of the market—all while millions in lower-income nations still struggle to see it coming.