Summer 2025

Purchase Factors Drive Online Contact Lens Searches, According to New U.S. & Canadian Research

Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities helps unmask what U.S. and Canadian residents are seeking online about contact lenses, spanning vision conditions, care regimens, purchasing options, myths, and more. The data is brought to life by our 2025 CLI Visionaries, offering their
interpretation and insights for the benefit of colleagues throughout North America and beyond.

Data Highlights

Purchasing Drives Search

More than half of searches for contact lenses relate to purchasing dynamics, which suggests that practices might benefit from more active discussions about buying at multiple points ahead of and during an exam—not solely at the conclusion.

Common Questions Reveal Patient Challenges

Consumer questions that may go unasked in the exam lane are frequently typed into search boxes, revealing that the contact lens community may benefit from increasing its focus on health and safety, cost, wear and care, and how brands differ.

Major Retailers Dominate Search Returns

Voice searches represent about 20% of total queries, and often
direct consumers to local eye care offices, reinforcing the need to ensure websites include clear address
information, local keywords, and are claimed on digital maps.

AI Opens the Door for Education

Artificial intelligence is moving at a breakneck speed to inform search results, at times providing less than complete information. Discuss AI use with patients, reinforcing that conversations with eye care professionals remain the gold standard.

Patients Want Removal Guidance

People are seeking online help to remove their contact lenses at least twice as often as insertion, inferring that there may be a need to reconsider in-office training and followup
for new wearers.

Multilingual Searches Point to Practice Opportunities

Contact lenses searches occur in multiple languages, reflecting a diverse population and giving an advantage to practice websites and digital content that reflect the makeup of the communities they serve

Vision Expo East 2025 Main Stage Panel

During Vision Expo East 2025 in Orland, three CLI Visionaries shared a review of the most recent data. The Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities panel featured 2025 CLI Visionaries Roxanne Achong-Coan OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FSLS, Dip CCLRT, of Coan Eye Care and Optical Boutique in Ocoee, Fla.; Ryan Corte, OD, of Northlake Eye in Charlotte and Asheville, N.C.; and Nishan Pressley, OD, of Essential Eyecare & Optical in Apopka, Fla., moderated by Charissa Lee, OD, MBA, FAAO, the 2025 CLI Board chairperson.