Yihan Ma
Research expert covering e-commerce and FMCG in Greater China
Eyewear market in China - statistics & facts
According to Statista's estimates, China's eyewear market will generate more than 15 billion dollars in revenue in 2023, second only to the United States. China is believed to have the world’s largest optical manufacturing industry, with an annual output of nearly one billion pairs. Chinese eyewear market offers a wide variety of corrective and fashion eyewear, including spectacle lenses, sunglasses, frames, and contacts.
Prescription eyeglasses market was the largest segment of China’s eyewear market. A 2023 survey found that nearly two-thirds of consumers in China purchased eyewear for correcting their vision acuity. In addition, corrective glasses which delay or prevent myopia were among the most desired eyewear types in China.
Additionally, colored contact lenses have become a leading fashion trend across Asia in recent years. Compared to traditional contact lenses, circle-colored contacts could tint the iris as well as make it appear wider, creating an illusion of larger eyes. As of 2022, more than three quarters of colored cosmetic contact buyers in China were female.
Eye conditions and corrective eyewear market in China
Globally, approximately 2.2 billion people are affected by eye conditions or visual impairments, with myopia, presbyopia, and age-related macular degeneration being three of the most common symptoms. In China, there were approximately 750 million people who suffer from myopia or high myopia in 2021, of which 110 million were children or adolescents. According to China’s National Health Committee, around 52.7 percent of underaged population suffered from myopia, one of the highest worldwide.Prescription eyeglasses market was the largest segment of China’s eyewear market. A 2023 survey found that nearly two-thirds of consumers in China purchased eyewear for correcting their vision acuity. In addition, corrective glasses which delay or prevent myopia were among the most desired eyewear types in China.
Fashion and aesthetic eyewear market in China
Today, eyewear serves not only as a functional tool to correct vision, but also as a fashion accessory for enhancing one's appearance. Consumers can choose from a variety of styles, colors, and price ranges to match their personal style and preferences. Many younger Chinese consumers also wear spectacle frames, sunglasses, or cosmetic contact lenses for demonstrating their fashion tastes. A survey conducted in July 2023 found that more than a third of Chinese consumers bought eyeglass frames without lenses as a fashion accessory.Additionally, colored contact lenses have become a leading fashion trend across Asia in recent years. Compared to traditional contact lenses, circle-colored contacts could tint the iris as well as make it appear wider, creating an illusion of larger eyes. As of 2022, more than three quarters of colored cosmetic contact buyers in China were female.
