Contact Lenses Statistics: According to the World Health Organization, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide live with vision impairment. Eye experts predict that the number of people with visual impairment or blindness will double by 2050, increasing the demand for vision correction tools. Prescription glasses, for instance, remain a popular choice for those experiencing vision problems, with over a billion people worldwide wearing them, according to Cleveland Clinic.
This growth means that technological advancements have become a necessary part of vision correction. Today, advancements in smart glasses technology are optimizing the capabilities of regular spectacles by allowing users to perform computer-powered tasks in wearable frames. Additionally, with a CAGR of 10.5% from 2023 to 2033, it’s clear that the global smart glasses market is experiencing solid growth.
Aside from glasses, another popular vision correction tool is contact lenses. These lenses are also used to manage refractive errors and provide clear vision. But how popular are contacts worldwide? Below, we look at key contact lens statistics around the globe:
What are contact lenses, and how do they work?
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Contact lenses are small, round tools that provide vision correction by bending light and focusing it on the retina. Unlike glasses, contact lenses are not bulky, making them a preferable choice for some users. Today, anyone can order contact lenses online, thanks to the rise of e-commerce platforms worldwide. Top brands like Acuvue and Dailies, which can block 97% of UVB rays and 81% of UVA rays, are now more accessible for those who do not live near brick-and-mortar stores.
According to MKM Research, 59% of patients are now buying contact lenses online — significantly higher than the 28% figure pre-COVID — marking a steady growth in today’s tech-driven landscape.
The global contact lens market: current performance and outlook
According to Grand View Research data, the global contact lens market was estimated at $18.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to increase with a CAGR of 8.9% from 2024 to 2030.
(Source: Grandviewresearch)
The rise in vision issues worldwide is stimulating the demand for contacts, with common refractive errors like astigmatism, hyperopia, myopia, and presbyopia affecting millions of people across the globe. Another key driving factor behind the increasing demand for contacts is an aging population, which is more vulnerable to eye problems.
Statista data shows that the global revenue of the contact lenses market is projected to reach $19.83 billion in 2025, with a significant portion generated in the United States.
In 2025, the estimated revenue of contact lenses in the US is expected to reach $6.3 million.
Based on the revenue generated per person, the contact lens market is expected to generate $2.54 per person globally in 2025. By 2029, it is projected that the volume of the contact lens market will reach 8 billion pieces. But how prevalent are contacts around the world? Here’s what you need to know:
Contact lens usage around the globe
According to a study published in PLOS One, contact lenses are gaining popularity worldwide as a viable alternative to spectacles. An estimated 140 million people wear contact lenses globally. The same study shows that the adult contact lens usage rate was 7.2% in the United Kingdom, 12% in Norway, 14.6% in Japan, and 14.7% in the US.
In Europe, Sweden and North Macedonia top the list of countries with a high percentage of contact lens-wearing citizens, with 30% each, followed by the Netherlands and Cyprus with 25%, and Switzerland with 19.6%.
According to Eye Health Central, approximately 9.2% of Canada’s population wears contact lenses, while approximately 6.4% of Australians between the ages of 15 and 64 use contacts.
This data, compiled from various studies, provides a comprehensive overview of contact lens usage worldwide, highlighting its popularity as a vision correction tool.
But how often do wearers retain their contact lens use? Here’s what the numbers say:
Retention and vision management success rates based on lens type
Various types of lenses cater to diverse vision needs, and studies show that these types of lenses also have varying retention rates among wearers. Retention rate refers to the number of new contact lens wearers who continue to use their lenses after some time. According to a Dovepress study, spherical lenses — used to treat myopia and hyperopia — had an 81% retention rate among first-time wearers in the first year.
Toric lenses used for astigmatism, meanwhile, had a 75% retention rate, while multifocal lenses for presbyopes were retained by 69% of users who wore them in the first year.
Studies also show that soft multifocal lenses with center-distance-design optics effectively slow myopia progression by 46%. Meanwhile, orthokeratology lenses that feature a reverse-geometry design and temporarily flatten the cornea for clear vision can reduce myopia progression by approximately 40%.
These numbers highlight the effectiveness of the different types of lenses in managing vision problems, and recent innovations in contact lens manufacturing and design are set to optimize the capacity of contacts in treating refractive errors.
Recent developments in contact lens technology
In early 2024, researchers from Northumbria University and Boğaziçi University successfully developed GlakoLens, a pair of contacts that can monitor eye pressure changes. These disposable lenses work by using an electrically passive sensor connected to a wearable electronic readout system that can collect, store, and analyze patient data for evaluation. This new development can help improve detection and treatment of glaucoma, which affects 80 million people worldwide.
In 2021, researchers from ACS Nano developed special-tinted contact lenses by infusing gold nanoparticles to improve contrasts of red and green colors. Wearers can enjoy improved green-red contrasts since these gold nanocomposites can scatter light. These lenses work because the evenly fused gold nanoparticles create rose-tinted gels that can filter out other colors while enhancing green and red for people with difficulty seeing those colors.
These key statistics and data show that contact lenses have emerged as a popular vision correction tool worldwide. With recent developments in lens technology and increasing accessibility through online e-commerce platforms, the contact lens market is poised to enjoy a solid performance in the years ahead. For more statistics and reviews, check out the Coolest Gadgets website.
