June 12, 2024 — Zenni Optical has announced it will begin offering contact lenses on its online retail platform.

"Offering contact lenses has been a long-term goal and will help us make vision care more accessible,” says David Ting, global chief technology officer and general manager at Zenni Optical.

Considering the recent report by Contact Lens Institute, recommendations from eyecare professionals are a major driver for patients trying contact lenses, as 66% of glasses and 46% of new contact lens wearers report optometrists and ophthalmologists as the leading source of contact lens influence, followed by opticians (44% and 26%), and friends and family (40% and 31%). An eyecare provider’s explanation of the benefits of contact lenses placed first at 66% on a ranking of 25 factors that can aid potential wearers’ consideration of contacts.

For intel on how two contact lens pros handle replenishing patients’ contact lens supply, see the June edition of Eyecare Business’s Building Contacts column.