Contact Lens Trends

Of the 53% of US Citizens who require vision correction, 13% wear contact lenses. Forecasters predict 7% to 8% annual growth of the contact lens industry over the next few years. Estimates put the contact lens global market at about $5 billion, with the United States accounting for 40% of that total. Soft contact lens make up 90% of new contact lens fits, with rigid lenses (gas permeable) holding steady at 10%. Approximately 2/3 of wearers are female. Historically, lenses that are worn daily (throw out after one day wear) as a percentage of new fits have hovered around 5%. In 2007 the U.S. soft contact lens market grew by 6% according to Ciba Vision marketing data while the daily disposable market grew by 30%.