The Vision Council (TVC) released new research examining consumer vision care behaviors in the final quarter of 2025, reporting largely stable usage patterns alongside modest increases in out-of-pocket spending. The Consumer inSights Q4 2025 report assessed attitudes and behaviors among US adults related to vision correction, managed vision care, eye exams, prescription eyewear, reading glasses, and plano sunglasses.
Findings showed that consumer purchasing and utilization trends remained relatively consistent with the prior quarter. Use of managed vision care for eye exams and eyewear held steady, although a greater proportion of adults reported using vision benefits compared with Q4 of 2024. Out-of-pocket spending on eye exams, frames, lenses, and prescription glasses increased slightly during the quarter, continuing a gradual upward trend. Across demographic groups, consumers continued to favor in-person purchases of prescription eyewear, readers, and sunglasses.
“The latest Consumer inSights data shows that much of consumer vision care behavior has remained stable quarter over quarter,” said Alysse Henkel, TVC’s vice president of research and insights. “At the same time, we’re seeing modest increases in out-of-pocket spending for prescription eyewear and eye exams, suggesting consumers continue to prioritize essential vision care despite ongoing cost pressures.”
Additional findings from Q4 2025 indicated that more than 80% of adults used some form of vision correction, and over 60% reported receiving eye exams at independent practices. Employer-sponsored managed vision care coverage increased to 48% of consumers. More than half of respondents who previously purchased eyewear online reported making their most recent purchase in person, and more than half reported spending less than $50 on non-prescription sunglasses.
The Consumer inSights Q4 2025 results were based on a survey of 12,129 US adults aged 18 years or older conducted during the fourth quarter of 2025. Respondents were representative of the US adult population.
The full report is available here as a complimentary download for members and for nonmembers to purchase.