Drawing on a survey of 1,308 vision-corrected consumers across the US and Canada, the report breaks down what influences patient decisions — from why they wear contacts or glasses, to what they value most in their providers, to how they expect practices to communicate. It also includes interpretation and actionable guidance from 16 CLI Visionaries, offering real-world strategies to translate insights into improved patient care and business performance.
Among the report’s standout findings:
• Contact lens wearers are significantly more loyal to their eye care professionals than glasses wearers — especially in Gen X (77% vs. 54%), signaling strong long-term value for practices that actively recommend lenses.
• Millennials lead in daily contact lens use (43%), outpacing Gen Z (35%), suggesting under-tapped opportunity among younger patients.
• Across all ages, at least 70% of patients want clearer explanations of the value behind clinical recommendations, and how contact lenses can improve lifestyle and daily activities.
• Authenticity, personalization, and social responsibility strongly influence Gen Z and Millennial perceptions — extending to both practices and product brands.
• Nearly half of patients aged 15–44 believe eye care staff should be available for questions or care during evening hours (5–9 pm), reflecting shifting expectations for accessibility.
• Despite the dominance of digital information sources, patients of all ages still identify their eye care team as their most trusted experts, far ahead of AI platforms or social media.
CLI Executive Director, Stan Rogaski, noted that many of these findings challenge long-held assumptions about patient preferences. "What we discovered is at times surprising, yet essential as eye care business owners and managers prepare for the decades ahead," he said. "By better connecting with people in the exam lane or optical floor — a constant throughout past CLI reports — individuals and teams are more likely to strengthen patient relationships and long-term success.”
