The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has published “Digital Discovery: Consumer Searches Reveal Contact Lens Realities,” a report examining how consumers seek information about contact lenses online. Part of CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative, the 30-page report analyzes search behaviors from public data sources in the U.S. and Canada, including Google autocomplete results and related trending topics.

“Patients are posing questions about contact lenses to search engines, artificial intelligence platforms, and social channels that they may never raise in the exam chair,” says Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director. “By understanding what’s being asked, eye care practitioners and staff can reconsider how they’re presenting contact lens wear, care, and purchase options.”

Findings show that 65% of contact lens searches are purchase-driven, with frequent brand and retailer searches indicating widespread comparison shopping. The report highlights common consumer questions about contact lens health, safety, cost, wear, care, and brand differences, offering insights for eyecare practices to improve patient education and online communication.

The report also explores how voice assistants and AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini address contact lens inquiries, noting variability in accuracy and the need for practices to proactively discuss AI-generated information with patients. Recent data cited in the report indicates that 40% of U.S. adults ages 18-64 and 47% of Canadian adults have used generative AI tools.

Additional topics covered include searches related to lens types, insertion and removal techniques, part-time wear, regional and language-based differences, and social media conversations. The report features 16 expert columns from U.S. and Canadian optometrists and opticians, alongside 15 data visualizations designed to help eye care professionals apply the insights in practice.