The Vision Council (TVC) has released its Consumer inSights Q2 2026 report which indicates a stabilizing vision care and eyewear market following several quarters of more cautious consumer spending. The report draws on responses from 12,137 US adults ages 18 and older and examines attitudes and purchasing behavior related to vision correction, managed vision care, eye exams, prescription eyewear, reading glasses, and nonprescription sunglasses. The survey was conducted from April 10 through June 12, 2026.
According to TVC, eyewear spending remained broadly distributed among value, mid-range, and higher-priced purchases during the second quarter. The share of purchases under $100 declined, while the $200-and-higher segment increased. Spending in the $100-to-$199 range remained comparable with recent quarters. Among consumers who had not recently purchased new eyewear, 44% said they did not need it, while 35% reported trying to make their existing eyewear last longer. The report also found that 16% of consumers who had recently purchased eyewear reported buying smart eyewear.
“What stands out this quarter is how deliberate consumers are being,” said Kris Stevens, vice president of research at TVC in a press release. “Many aren't skipping new eyewear because they can't afford it—they're stretching what they already have, or don't need a replacement yet.”
Managed vision care coverage continued to vary with income and education. Gen Z reported the lowest participation compared with other generations. The gap in out-of-pocket spending between consumers with managed vision care and those without coverage also widened during the quarter. Among consumers with access to flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, 75% reported using those funds for eye exams and two-thirds used them for eyewear purchases. Contact lens purchasing patterns continued to favor corporate and chain locations, which accounted for 62% of purchases; a share that is consistent with the second quarter of 2025.
Price remained a factor in reading glasses purchases. The proportion of purchases in the lowest price tier, $0 to $10, increased from 37% to 39% quarter over quarter. Purchasing channels for nonprescription sunglasses remained largely stable: online purchasing remained unchanged from the previous year and in-person purchasing declined slightly.