Fresh off unveiling a sneak peek at new consumer research into cross-generational contact lens purchase drivers, The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) is sharing even more findings during the 2025 American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual meeting this week.
Let’s begin with a quick refresh on this research.
We’ll start with CLI’s ongoing See Tomorrow initiative of bi-annual custom research on the perspectives of eyecare providers (ECPs) and consumers.
Check out all our recent coverage on this.
And the most recent research?
That was released just a few weeks ago, during Vision Expo West 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The crux of those details: A survey was sent to over 1,000 North American vision-corrected patients in three age groups during a 2-month period in the summer.
Those age groups: Gen Z (ages 15-28), Millennials (ages 29-44), and Gen X (ages 45-60)
- See here for the details of what was reported so far.
So where do we pick this up from?
Where the latest reporting of research ended, with CLI noting that contact lens wearing motivation can differ and vary depending on the age—and highlighting the significant opportunity Gen Z consumers offer for increased contact lens adoption.
- CLI Executive Director Stan Rogaski stated that, by understanding what influences Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X consumers, ECPs can “better attract new contact lens patients and more effectively retain current patients through targeted communication and education.”
Tell me the latest.
Next up in this reporting: reasons for contact lens wear.
Of the 1,308 survey respondents, current contact lens users (accounting for roughly 34% of respondents) were asked to select their reasons for wearing lenses from 12 options.
Their selections (in order of generational age group and preference) were as follows:
Gen Z
- Personal appearance (52%)
- Freedom from glasses (47%)
- Lack of visual obstruction (40%)
Millennials
- Personal appearance (50%)
- Freedom from glasses (48%)
- Better comfort (48%)
- Ease of use (48%)
Gen X
- Freedom from glasses (54%)
- Lack of visual obstruction (53%)
- Better comfort (41%)
Interesting … and what’s the takeaway from that?
CLI highlighted the 10% difference between Millennials’ and Gen Z’s preference for better comfort in selecting their lenses, as well as the 13% difference in their ease of use reasoning.
- Also keep in mind, as we previously reported last month, 8% more Millennials are contact lens wearers than Gen Z—and, thus, may be an indicator for how Gen Z may progress in their future lens wear.
Based on those gaps: “There appears to be opportunity to discuss and emphasize these upsides with younger patients (Gen Z) to drive (lens) adoption and decrease dropout,” the institute noted.
Sticking with these reasons for lens wear …
CLI also shared that—contrary to what some clinicians may be thinking—all respondents ranked “optimal vision” as a relatively lower influential factor (ranging from 29% to 34%) in how they choose between contact lenses and glasses.
As such: “This suggests that highlighting contact lens lifestyle benefits while also reinforcing their optical advantages may promote uptake and retention.”
What else is new in this reporting?
Generational feedback on the influence of contact lens advancements on their selection process.
Out of eight categories to choose from, Gen Z and Millennials, respectively, ranked their preferences more similarly (as “extremely” or “very” interested):
- Ultraviolet absorption (52% and 55%)
- Reusable lenses (49% and 50%)
- Toric lenses (49% for both)
- Lenses designed for digital device use (47% and 49%)
And how did these compare to Gen X’s preferences?
Far different, to say the least. This age group’s responses were described as “more muted, with percentages lower by double digits” in comparison to the younger generations.
For example: When asked about their preference for multifocal contact lenses (for presbyopia), just 36% of Gen X expressed being “extremely or very interested”—compared to 41% of Millennials for this same category.
- To note: In a tie with UV absorption, this was the age group’s highest-ranked category.
Which means …?
The implication is that ECPs need to continue reaching out—earlier, if possible—to more Gen X patients to begin conversations regarding the latest advancements in MF lens designs and their respective advantages for treating presbyopia.
Now, circling back to those younger age groups, how else did their preferences compare?
One other notable area of slight (but still similar) contrast for Gen Z and Millennials was on the subject of reusable contact lenses.
- Specifically: 49% versus 50% of Gen Z and Millennials, respectively, preferred these.
Comparatively, when it came to daily disposable / 1-day lenses:
- 35% versus 41% of Gen Z and Millennials, respectively, indicated interest.
Interest indeed. So, is the full report on this available yet?
Not quite. The institute is still planning for a full release of the comprehensive report next month.
Check back here for those details (when they’re available, that is).
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) annual meeting is taking place Oct. 8-11, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts.