State of Eyewear: Annual Trend and Forecasting Report

With a predicted market value of $167B in the next 5-years, eyewear trends have never before been more prevalent for optical and fashion brands.

The market for glasses and sunglasses has grown significantly in recent years, with a number of trends shaping the industry last year. Online, the popularity of e-commerce channels like TikTok
and Instagram have blossomed after both poured heavy investment into their inbuilt shopping features. In the brick-and-mortar world, there's been a growth of custom and made-to-order eyewear, as consumers seek out unique and personalised options.

The eyewear industry has seen a notable shift in materials towards eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives, such as bio acetate, resin combination and bamboo frames. Amid increased market developments, a rise in the use of technology in eyewear has taken place, with a boom in launches for augmented reality smart glasses, new prescription tracking and advances in new lens materials.

On the business front, there were huge acquisitions this year, with Meta's incorporation of the smart glasses company Luxeexcel and EssilorLuxottica's lucrative partnerships with Armani, Ferrari and Swarovski.

This report is your comprehensive guide to the trends currently driving the optical and sunglasses markets.