By definition, trends come and go, and this year is no different.
We’ve done the research and taken a dive into the year ahead, uncovering 10 trends that will shape our eye care industry in 2026:
- Proactive & Preventive Eye Care
- Tele-Optometry & Remote Optometry
- Artificial Intelligence Transforming Clinical Workflows
- Expanded Scope of Practice & Regulatory Change
- Myopia Management & Pediatric Focus
- Smart Eyewear & Advanced Lens Technology
- Sustainability & Omni-Channel Consumer Experience
- Device & Diagnostic Market Expansion
- Building Global Integration & Public Health Capacity
- Growing Demand Driven by Demographics & Digital Lifestyle
If you’re an optician or optometrist with a growing eye care business, and you want to thrive in the eye care industry, staying ahead of industry trends and changes can help.
1. Proactive & Preventive Eye Care
- A major shift from reactive to proactive care is underway. Clinicians increasingly focus on early disease detection, risk-factor modification, and routine monitoring using tools like portable diagnostics and autonomous AI systems.
- Routine eye exams are being promoted for vision correction and as part of preventive healthcare to detect systemic health issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
2. Tele-Optometry & Remote Optometry
- Tele–optometry and remote optometry have become key tools to improve access, especially for rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.
- The CAO position statement supports the use of these services in underserved communities and the collaboration they can bring between other health care services.
- This hybrid model is being adopted to triage emergency cases, manage chronic disease follow-ups, and triage screenings.
3. Artificial Intelligence Transforming Clinical Workflows
- AI is being embedded into standard optometric devices (OCT, fundus cameras, imaging) and clinical workflows, aiding in early detection of glaucoma, DR, and referring efficiency.
- AI tools now analyze fundus/OCT scans with >90% sensitivity and reduce specialist referrals by up to 83%.
- AI can even aid with specialty practices such as Dry Eye Disease management.
4. Expanded Scope of Practice & Regulatory Change
- Provinces like British Columbia (April 2026) and Ontario are updating health acts to expand scopes, enabling optometrists to perform minor in-office procedures, laser treatments, order diagnostics, and manage conditions like glaucoma and cataracts.
- The Optometry Examining Board of Canada now mandates the national board exam for all graduates, establishing greater consistency in practice standards.
- Federal action includes Bill C‑284 (royal assent Nov. 2024) to establish a National Eye Care Strategy, improve access for underserved and Indigenous communities, and prioritize vision health at a national level.
5. Myopia Management & Pediatric Focus
- With rising childhood myopia, Canada is enhancing early screening in schools and offering management options like dual-focus contact lenses, orthokeratology, atropine drops, and specialized spectacle lenses.
- Communities, such as mymyopia, aim to provide clear evidence-based resources to safeguard the vision of future generations.
- The Canadian market for myopia-control eyewear (including therapeutic glasses) reached ~$1.2B USD in 2024, and is expected to grow at a 10.5% compound annual growth rate through 2033.
6. Smart Eyewear & Advanced Lens Technology
- Smart glasses, therapeutic contact lenses, and AR/VR-integrated eyewear are crossing into mainstream usage.
- Lens technologies continue evolving: blue-light filtering, health-monitoring, freeform precision lenses, and eco-friendly/sustainable frames are becoming standard expectations.
7. Sustainability and Omni-Channel Consumer Experience
- Patient expectations increasingly include eco-conscious materials and personalized premium lenses.
- Optical practices are adopting omni-channel models—combining online, in-store, and virtual try-ons, financing options, and integrated telehealth to enhance service and conversion rates.
8. Device & Diagnostic Market Expansion
- Canada’s optometry devices market is nearing $2.5B USD in 2024, expected to grow at ~7.5% compound annual growth rate over the next decade.
- Innovations feature portable OCT, cloud-connected diagnostic tools, and AI-enabled imaging, particularly for tele-optometry expansion.
9. Building Global Integration & Public Health Capacity
- Institutions like the Waterloo Eye Institute are scaling up to combine research, education, clinical care, and tele-optometry—all with public health reach into underserved regions.
- These align with Canada’s investment in the National Eye Care Strategy to unify care delivery and data standards.
10. Growing Demand Driven by Demographics & Digital Lifestyle
- An aging population and increased screen time are driving up rates of AMD, glaucoma, dry eye, and digital eye strain.
- Myopia and digital strain are rising among younger Canadians, prompting a push for preventive lifestyle changes like outdoor time, vision breaks, and early intervention.
- Dry Eye Disease is becoming better recognized and diagnosed, with patients actively seeking out these caregivers.
What Eye Care Trends Are in Store for 2026?
A transition to proactive, tech-empowered, patient-centred models marks Canadian eye care in 2026. Tele-optometry, AI-driven diagnostics, expanded scopes, and public health strategies are creating a more accessible and holistic vision care ecosystem, from childhood through adulthood, and addressing digital-era challenges. Practices embracing these trends are well-positioned to deliver modern, sustainable, and equitable eye health services.
