Generational Differences Drive Contact Lens Choices and Technology Appeal, New Research Finds
The motivations for wearing contact lenses and the appeal of new lens technologies vary significantly by generation, according to new research from the Contact Lens Institute (CLI) to be presented this week at the 2025 American Academy of Optometry annual meeting.
“It’s clear that contact lens wearing motivations can differ by age. Understanding what influences Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X should help the eye care community better attract new contact lens patients and more effectively retain current patients through targeted communication and education,” said Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director.
The findings represent the newest installment of CLI’s 'See Tomorrow' initiative, complementing insights shared in September about generational wearing patterns. Results are based on a CLI-commissioned survey of 1,308 vision-corrected respondents across the U.S. and Canada, conducted in July and August 2025. Participants spanned three generations: Gen Z (ages 15–28), Millennials (29–44), and Gen X (45–60).
Motivations for Contact Lens Wear
Among current contact lens users (n=443), responses highlighted clear generational differences in motivations:
Gen Z wearers most often cited personal appearance (52%), freedom from glasses (47%), and lack of visual obstruction (40%)
Millennials favored personal appearance (50%), freedom from glasses (48%), better comfort (48%), and ease of use (48%)
Gen X prioritized freedom from glasses (54%), lack of visual obstruction (53%), and better comfort (41%)
Notably, Gen Z trailed Millennials in perceptions of comfort (–10%) and ease of use (–13%), indicating potential communication opportunities for practitioners seeking to grow adoption and reduce dropout among younger wearers.
Interestingly, optimal vision ranked only midrange across all groups (Z: 34%, M: 30%, X: 29%), underscoring the importance of emphasizing lifestyle and comfort benefits—not just visual acuity—in patient conversations.
Younger Generations Show Stronger Interest in Lens Innovations
All respondents were asked about their interest in eight categories of contact lens advancements. Gen Z and Millennials expressed similar enthusiasm for:
UV absorption/protection (Z: 52%, M: 55%)
Reusable contact lenses (Z: 49%, M: 50%)
Toric designs (Z: 49%, M: 49%)
Lenses designed for digital device use (Z: 47%, M: 49%)
By contrast, Gen X interest lagged by double-digit margins across most categories. Even for multifocal lenses for presbyopia—their top choice—only 36% of Gen X respondents reported being “extremely” or “very” interested, compared to 41% of Millennials. This points to opportunities for earlier and more consistent patient education on multifocal designs and presbyopia management.
Another noteworthy pattern emerged between reusable and daily disposable lens preferences. While both Gen Z (49%) and Millennials (50%) showed high interest in reusables, enthusiasm for daily disposables was lower (Z: 35%, M: 41%)—a difference potentially influenced by market expectations, economic factors, and the growing visibility of sustainable lens options.