The Vision Council (TVC) has released its Market inSights Q3 2025 report, outlining financial performance and consumer trends across the $17.5 billion U.S. optical industry. The analysis includes updated second-quarter data and examines several product and service categories, including eye exams, frames, lenses, eyeglasses, contact lenses, readers, and plano sunglasses.

According to the report, revised Q2 figures reflect new practice and transaction data, which indicate higher spending on prescription products following spring tariff announcements. In the third quarter, all prescription categories recorded declines in sales volume both from the previous quarter and from the prior year. Despite lower unit volume, overall market value increased year over year, continuing a trend seen earlier in 2025.

“Through the latest release of our quarterly Market inSights report, we’re able to see more clearly how consumer behavior is evolving across the vision care market,” says Alysse Henkel, TVC’s vice president of research and insights. “While prescription product volumes declined in the third quarter, overall market value continued to climb to $17.5 billion, in line with patterns reported earlier this year. At the same time, over-the-counter categories showed sustained consumer demand.”

Key findings from Q3 2025 include:

• The market value of eye exams rose 9% year over year, while exam volume declined 4%. Average exam costs decreased from the previous quarter but remained higher than in Q1.

• Lenses were the largest prescription category, generating nearly $4 billion in sales, a 9% decrease from Q2.

• Frame sales volume declined compared with 2024, though the average value per pair increased by about $13.

• Plano sunglasses posted year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter gains in both average value and units sold.

• Reader sales value remained stable from Q2, with a slight increase in unit volume resulting in a lower average price per pair.

• Contact lens market value was unchanged from Q2, though the average price per unit rose.

The quarterly estimates draw from multiple data sources, including consumer retail spending, patient billing information, optical retail location data, and ongoing consumer surveys. Previously published figures may be adjusted as new data becomes available.

The full report is available here as a complimentary download for members and for nonmembers to purchase.