Jan. 2, 2025 — In partnership with Eyecare Business magazine, The Vision Council (TVC) has developed the latest report from its inSights Research Program, Focused Insights 2024: Frame Buyers, examining the purchasing habits and decision-making processes of eyecare providers when selecting eyewear frames for their practices.

The study provides a detailed analysis of who makes purchasing decisions, how frequently inventory is updated, and where frames are sourced. It also explores the styles and materials most commonly chosen by eyecare providers, offering insights into the current dynamics shaping the eyewear market.

EB’s 10 Frame-Focused Findings feature in its January/February issue highlights key takeaways from the report with infographics and tips for implementing the findings in practice.

“The findings from this report, developed in collaboration with Eyecare Business magazine, reveal that eyecare providers are strategic in balancing patient preferences with inventory constraints in the curation of frames sold at their practices,” says Alysse Henkel, TVC vice president of research and inSights. “Customer preferences and historic sales, such as the popularity of square and rectangular frames, influence frame buyers’ decisions, even if they would like to sell more unique styles from boutique brands. Overall, the report underscores the key trends shaping the eyewear market and offers a roadmap for suppliers to better align with provider and customer needs.”

The survey, conducted in July and August 2024, gathered responses from 282 eyecare providers responsible for frame inventory purchases. The data collection was facilitated online via Qualtrics, with a reported margin of error of ±5.8 percentage points.

The full report is available here as a complimentary download for members and for nonmembers to purchase.