New research unveiled in The Vision Council’s (TVC) Provider Insights Q1 and Q2 2025 report offers a glimpse into how several key economic factors are affecting eyecare providers (ECPs) and their clinical practice operations across the United States.
Chief among these insights: operational trends, challenges, and the overall outlook of the nation’s economy.
First, some background on this report.
First, see here for details on TVC’s inSights Program.
Next: The latest installment of TVC’s semi-annual Provider insights reports was conducted online (June 30 - July 7) among a targeted “diverse panel of U.S.-based (ECPs)” including:
- Optometrists
- Opticians
- Ophthalmologists
- Practice managers
Notably: All 206 respondents (with a margin of error of ±6% at a 95% confidence level) were affiliated with clinical practices that provide eye examinations or prescription eyewear services.
And its purpose?
Essentially, the report gathered feedback from those aforementioned ECPs to capture the “pulse of practices as they navigated the first half of 2025.”
Its focus included offering a look into key industry developments such as:
- Economic sentiment
- Inflation impacts
- Staffing shortages
- Practice investments
- Smart eyewear sales
- Telehealth services
- Tariff concerns
Now, where to begin with these findings?
In general, TVC reported that economic pressures were a major point of interest for respondents, with 56% noting that the U.S. economy performed worse in the first half (H1) of 2025 compared to the second half (H2) of 2024.
And in regard to tariffs?
Amidst the tariff war that has ensued over the better part of 2025, 62% of respondents reported their practice has already been affected.
- Even further: 66% shared expectations for this impact to continue or worsen through the remainder of the year.
Speaking of tariffs: The release of this report follows just weeks after the United States issued updated reciprocal tariffs for key global trading partners—with specific rates varying on a country-by-country basis from 15% to 41%.
- Check out our coverage on this, including a deep dive into rates for U.S. imports coming from top optical industry-affiliated countries.
Sticking with this topic, how exactly have ECPs felt these effects?
A reported nine out of 10 ECP responders reported that tariffs have “most strongly impacted” their wholesale eyewear prices.
- Meanwhile, eight out of 10 have already had their wholesale practice supply prices impacted as a result.
And when you add in the inflation factor?
Nearly three-fourths (69%) of ECPs reported that inflation influenced their practice in H1 2025.
- Compare this to 70% of ECPs reporting this influence during Q3 and Q4 20265.
Of that updated number, ECPs expressed varying levels of expectation for inflation to continue to have some form of impact through the end of 2025.
- 16% expecting very little impact
- 53% expecting some impact
- 20% expecting moderate impact
- 10% expecting strong impact
Alrighty, what’s next?
The report also inquired into practices’ staffing and hiring challenges—and the results were mixed.
Looking at hiring: 72% of respondents noted persistent hiring challenges throughout H1 2025, and expect little improvement in H2 2025.
Conversely, however, on the staffing front: Staff retention actually improved by 8 percentage points compared to 2024.
- And for H2 2025: This improvement is projected to remain steady.
Did ECPs weigh in on smart technology at all?
They did indeed, especially considering smart eyewear is a hot topic in the eyecare community these days …
- The findings: When asked if they offer smart eyewear options to their patients, just four in 10 ECPs indicated yes.
- Out of those respondents, 74% reported selling smart eyewear once a month or less.
And for those who don’t sell these options?
Their explanation for not offering smart eyewear? A total of 38% noted a lack of patient demand.
- Take note, however: The report did not specify whether these ECPs asked their patients about interest in such options before indicating a lack in patient demand.
So where does telehealth fall into this?
Despite recent research supporting the use of telemedicine and telehealth for addressing ophthalmic needs—particularly in the post-pandemic era—a staggering 76% of respondents reported not currently offering such services in their practice.
This finding is a stark contrast to TVC’s efforts to serve the optical industry in a new, digital format.
Case in point: In April 2024, the organization launched PolicyWatch, a comprehensive teleoptometry regulatory monitoring service designed to guide industry experts and offer an up-to-date point of reference on standards across the country.
Interesting ... last question: Where can I access the full report?
Note: TVC members can download the report for free. For non-TVC members, a $250 fee applies.