The Vision Council (TVC) has released its Consumer inSights Q1 2026 report, detailing US consumer behavior across optical products and services during the first quarter of the year. The report analyzes attitudes and purchasing patterns related to vision correction, managed vision care, eye exams, prescription eyewear, reading glasses, and nonprescription sunglasses.
According to the findings, consumer spending on vision care products declined slightly compared to previous quarters, which reflects broader economic caution. Across multiple categories, consumers showed a preference for lower price points and, in some cases, reduced purchase volumes. This pattern was observed in both prescription eyewear and nonprescription segments.
"Consumers are making more value-conscious choices, and that extends to vision care," said Kris Stevens, a representative from TVC's inSights Research Program. "With inflation and broader economic uncertainty continuing to shape household budgets, it's no surprise that discretionary spending is under pressure, and eyewear is not immune. This quarter, we're seeing an uptick in lower-priced purchases, a preference for single pairs over multiples, and buying a shorter supply of contact lenses."
Additional findings from the report include increased popularity of value-priced sunglasses compared to levels a year ago , as well as growth in the use of daily disposable contact lenses vs the first quarter of 2025. Independent eyecare practices remained the primary setting for eye exams, though fewer consumers reported purchasing eyewear at the same location. The report also found that managed vision care coverage continues to play a significant role in exam frequency; specificially, uninsured consumers are more likely to delay routine care. In the reading glasses category, the number of consumers purchasing a single pair increased, reaching parity with those buying multiple pairs, which had previously been more common.
The Consumer inSights Q1 2026 report is based on a survey of 12,031 US adults aged 18 and older conducted during the first quarter of 2026. Respondents were selected to be representative of the US adult population.
The full report and additional trended data are available here, with complimentary access for members and purchase options for nonmembers.