International Contact Lens Prescribing in 2025

Our 25th consecutive annual survey reveals trends in global contact lens prescribing.

By: PHILIP B. MORGAN, PHD, MCOPTOM, CRAIG A. WOODS, PHD, MCOPTOM, IOANNIS G. TRANOUDIS, DO, MSC, PHD, NATHAN EFRON, AC, DSC, PHD, Lyndon Jones, PHD, DSC, FCOPTOM, PAULA FACCIA, PHD, DORIS RIVADENEIRA, OD, IACLE, CHRISTINA N. GRUPCHEVA, MD, PHD, DEBORAH JONES, BSC, FCOPTOM, AMOND ADSERSEN, MSC, OPTOM, JACINTO SANTODOMINGO-RUBIDO, OD(EC), MSC, PHD, MCOPTOM, Yip Siu Lai Queenie, Thomas Chuen Lam, PhD, MIHÁLY VÉGH, MD, PHD, NIR ERDINEST, BOPTOM, PHD, GIANCARLO MONTANI, DIPOPTOM, Yuichi Hori, JOLANTA BENDORIENE, MD, PHD, Karola Panke, PhD, RICARDO PINTOR, L.OPT, ANN ELISABETH YSTENÆS, BSC, MSCOPTOM, Jagrut Lallu, MSc Specialty Lenses, Bottom, JEANETTE ROMUALDEZ-OO, OD, CARMEN ABESAMIS-DICHOSO, OD, RUTE J. MACEDO-DE-ARAÚJO, PHD, OSKAR JOHANSSON, BSC, JOHN HSIAO, BA, OD, JASON J. NICHOLS, OD, MPH, PhD

Contact Lens Spectrum January 1, 2026 Vol 41, Issue January-February 2026 Page(s): 16-18,20-22,24

Clinical Report: International Contact Lens Prescribing in 2025

Overview

The 2025 survey reveals significant trends in global contact lens prescribing, with 11,264 fits analyzed across 24 countries. Notably, soft lenses account for 88% of fits, and the average age at fitting has increased, particularly for refit patients.

Background

Understanding contact lens prescribing trends is crucial for optimizing patient care and ensuring appropriate lens selection. This annual survey provides valuable insights into global practices, helping practitioners stay informed about evolving standards and patient demographics. The data collected over 25 years highlights shifts in lens types, patient age, and prescribing patterns.

Data Highlights

Metric	Value
Total Fits Analyzed	11,264
Average Age at Fitting	34.7 ± 15.5 years
Percentage of Soft Lens Fits	88%
Daily Disposable Lens Fits	44%
Percentage of New Fits	35%

Key Findings

Adjust the average age for new soft lens patients to align with the overall average.

Clinical Implications

Practitioners should be aware of the increasing average age of contact lens wearers, particularly among refit patients, which may influence lens selection and patient education. The predominance of soft lenses and daily disposables suggests a need for ongoing emphasis on proper lens care and hygiene to mitigate risks associated with contact lens wear.

Conclusion

The 2025 report underscores the dynamic nature of contact lens prescribing, reflecting changing demographics and preferences among patients. Continued monitoring of these trends is essential for optimizing patient outcomes in contact lens practice.

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Contact Lens Spectrum