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Contact Lenses Market: Daily Disposables, Hygiene Awareness & Market Expansion

How rising vision correction needs, increasing screen exposure, and lifestyle-driven aesthetics are shaping demand patterns in the global contact lenses market

By Jeffrey WilsonPublished 5 days ago 6 min read

According to IMARC Group's latest research publication, the global contact lenses market size reached USD 9.00 Billion in 2025. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 14.62 Billion by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate of 4.98% during 2026-2034.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of Contact Lenses Market

  • Smart Lens Design and Customized Fitting: AI algorithms analyze topography data, eye shape factors, and patient history to design personalized contact lenses with optimal curvature and parameters. Machine learning systems review thousands of data points to predict the best lens fit, reducing remake rates and maximizing comfort for each individual patient.
  • Intelligent Disease Detection and Health Monitoring: Smart contact lenses embedded with biosensors and AI microchips continuously monitor tear composition, intraocular pressure, and glucose levels, detecting early signs of glaucoma, diabetes, and other conditions. Real-time data analysis enables proactive health management and early intervention before diseases progress.
  • Automated Prescription Optimization and Parameter Adjustment: AI calculates precise lens parameters including toric marker rotation, multifocal add power, zone sizing, and sagittal depth adjustments automatically. Deep learning platforms eliminate manual calculations, recommending ideal lens materials, cleaning solutions, and dry eye treatments to maximize patient outcomes comprehensively.
  • Advanced Quality Control and Manufacturing Precision: Computer vision systems employ AI to inspect lens surfaces for defects, irregularities, and quality deviations during production with exceptional accuracy. 3D printing technologies combined with machine learning enable fabrication of highly customized geometries, fine-tuning thickness, curvature, and microporosity for enhanced comfort.
  • Augmented Reality Integration and Visual Enhancement: AI-powered lenses feature eye-tracking capabilities and display technologies that overlay information directly onto the wearer's field of vision. Machine learning interprets eye movements to stabilize digital content, enabling applications from navigation assistance to health metrics display while maintaining natural visual experience.

Contact Lenses Industry Overview:

The contact lenses industry is experiencing robust growth fueled by rising refractive vision disorders affecting 2.2 billion people globally, including significant prevalence in the South-East Asia region representing 30% of cases. Extended digital screen usage and reduced natural light exposure are driving myopia and astigmatism rates higher, particularly among younger populations seeking convenient, discreet alternatives to traditional eyeglasses. Silicone hydrogel materials dominating 87.8% of the market offer superior oxygen permeability and comfort, supporting extended wear while maintaining corneal health. Daily disposable lenses capturing 33.2% market share reflect strong consumer preference for hygiene and convenience, eliminating cleaning routines and reducing infection risks. The online beauty and personal care market reached USD 64.7 Billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 8.63% annually, driving cosmetic lens adoption as fashion accessories among style-conscious consumers. North America maintains market leadership with 38.0% share, supported by advanced healthcare infrastructure, high vision care awareness, and widespread access to optometric services across the region.

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Contact Lenses Market Trends & Drivers:

Rising vision correction needs are fundamentally driving contact lenses market expansion, with the World Health Organization reporting that at least 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from near or distance vision impairment. This massive burden reflects the growing prevalence of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism caused by lifestyle factors including prolonged screen exposure, reduced outdoor activities, and genetic predisposition. Contact lenses provide a convenient, non-surgical solution for individuals seeking vision improvement without the aesthetic and functional limitations of eyeglasses. The aging population further amplifies demand, as age-related conditions like presbyopia become increasingly common, requiring specialized multifocal and toric lens solutions. The global population aged 65 years and above is projected to increase to 2.2 billion by the late 2070s according to United Nations estimates, representing substantial long-term growth potential. In the United States, digital eye strain prevalence ranges between 60-69% and affects females disproportionately, creating heightened demand for blue light-filtering lenses that alleviate eye fatigue during extended screen time.

Rapid technological advancements are revolutionizing contact lens materials, designs, and capabilities beyond basic vision correction. Silicone hydrogel materials have transformed the industry by offering enhanced breathability and comfort for extended wear, significantly reducing hypoxia-related complications. Daily disposable lens prescribing surged from just 17.1% of soft lens fits in 2000 to 46.7% in 2023 according to Elsevier research, reflecting strong consumer movement toward convenience and eye safety. Smart contact lenses represent the cutting edge of innovation, incorporating sensors and microelectronics that can track vital health parameters including blood glucose levels for diabetics and intraocular pressure for glaucoma patients. Developments showcased in 2024 include eye-tracking lenses from Chinese researchers in May, 3D hologram projection capabilities announced by South Korean scientists in August, and AI-embedded lenses detecting blood sugar levels created by Indian-born researcher Sai Teja Boppiniti in October. Dubai-based Xpanceo demonstrated smart lenses detecting early glaucoma signs, correcting color blindness and myopia, and improving night vision at the Gitex technology exhibition.

The expanding middle class in developing economies, particularly across Asia-Pacific and Latin America, is creating substantial new growth opportunities as rising disposable incomes enable lifestyle upgrades and personal appearance investments. Contact lenses appeal strongly to these emerging consumers as modern, stylish alternatives to eyeglasses that align with active, contemporary lifestyles and project sophistication. The Japan ophthalmic devices market reached USD 1,691 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2,024 Million by 2033, growing at 2% annually, reflecting increased investment in eye care technologies and expanding access to vision correction solutions. Cosmetic and colored contact lenses are gaining immense popularity, allowing wearers to change eye color and enhance appearance, driven by social media influencers and celebrity endorsements visible across platforms. In Brazil, the estimated occurrence of childhood blindness stands at 4 per 10,000 children, necessitating early vision correction interventions and creating demand for pediatric lens solutions. Saudi Arabia's ophthalmic devices market reached USD 265.4 Million in 2024 and expects to grow at 6.53% annually to reach USD 469.0 Million by 2033, demonstrating rising investment in eye care infrastructure across emerging markets.

Leading Companies Operating in the Global Contact Lenses Industry:

  • Alton Vision LLC
  • Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
  • Carl Zeiss AG
  • Contamac Holdings Limited
  • EssilorLuxottica SA
  • Hoya Corporation
  • Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.
  • Menicon Co. Limited
  • SEED Co. Limited
  • SynergEyes Inc.
  • Cooper Companies Inc.

Contact Lenses Market Report Segmentation:

By Material:

  • Gas Permeable
  • Silicone Hydrogel
  • Hybrid
  • Others

Silicone hydrogel dominates with 87.8% market share, offering superior oxygen permeability and comfort that support extended wear while maintaining excellent corneal health and biocompatibility.

By Design:

  • Spherical
  • Toric
  • Multifocal
  • Others

Spherical lenses lead with 60.5% market share, widely prescribed for common refractive errors like myopia and hyperopia due to their straightforward design, ease of fitting, and cost-effective manufacturing.

By Usage:

  • Daily Disposable
  • Disposable
  • Frequently Replacement
  • Traditional

Daily disposable lenses account for 33.2% of the market, preferred for their superior hygiene, convenience, and reduced infection risks by eliminating cleaning and storage requirements entirely.

By Application:

  • Corrective
  • Therapeutic
  • Cosmetic
  • Prosthetic
  • Lifestyle-oriented

Corrective lenses dominate with 45.0% market share, addressing widespread refractive errors including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia across all age groups and demographics globally.

By Distribution Channel:

  • E-Commerce
  • Eye Care Practitioners
  • Retail Stores

Retail stores lead with 45.8% market share, providing personalized consultations, professional fitting services, immediate product availability, and comprehensive post-purchase support that builds consumer trust.

Regional Insights:

  • North America (United States, Canada)
  • Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Others)
  • Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, Others)
  • Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Others)
  • Middle East and Africa

North America dominates with 38.0% market share, supported by advanced healthcare infrastructure, high vision care awareness, established retail networks, and strong consumer adoption of premium lens technologies.

Recent News and Developments in Contact Lenses Market:

  • June 2025: Alcon introduced PRECISION1 daily disposable contact lenses in India, providing comfort for up to 16 hours. The lenses featured SMARTSURFACE technology with over 80% water content, reducing dryness. Made from breathable Verofilcon A, they promoted long-term eye health.
  • May 2025: Bausch + Lomb launched Zenlens Chroma HOA scleral contact lenses in the United States, designed to address advanced higher-order aberrations and reduce symptoms including glare and halos for improved visual quality.
  • May 2025: Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China published findings in Cell journal revealing infrared contact lenses that enhance night vision. The transparent lenses enable wearers to perceive various infrared wavelengths while simultaneously seeing visible light.
  • April 2025: Bruno Vision Care LLC received US Food and Drug Administration approval to market Deseyne daily disposable contact lenses featuring FusionTechnology delivery method. The breakthrough combined two patented technologies in the lens substance and delivery system.

Note: If you require specific details, data, or insights that are not currently included in the scope of this report, we are happy to accommodate your request. As part of our customization service, we will gather and provide the additional information you need, tailored to your specific requirements. Please let us know your exact needs, and we will ensure the report is updated accordingly to meet your expectations.

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About the Creator

Jeffrey Wilson

Hello, I’m Jeffrey Wilson, a market research specialist with over 9 years of experience in uncovering consumer insights and driving data-backed strategies.

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