Non-prescription Reading Glasses Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Frame Type (Full Frame Glass, Rimless Glass, Half Frame Glass), By Glass Coating (Anti-Reflective Coating, Anti-Glare Coating, Blue-Light Protective Coating, Scratch-Resistant Coating, Others), By Application (Adults, Kids) And Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Glasses or spectacles are categorized as vision eyewear. Primarily, glasses are used as a medium for vision correction, such as near-sightedness. However, they can be sometimes used for cosmetic purposes and without specialized lenses. A spectacle features glass or hard plastic lenses mounted in a frame holding them in front of the user’s eyes.

While glasses have been traditionally used for vision problems, these products have evolved as a fashion statement on the back of rapidly changing consumer lifestyles.  Non-prescription glasses are increasingly available in a wide variety of color, design, and material options to suit or compliment a wide variety of outfits.  These products are designed to help readers by magnifying words and images on the page or digital screen, enlarging the appearance of nearby objects, and making them easier to see clearly. An individual with no vision issues may use non-prescriptive “plano lenses” with zero corrective power which are designed to protect the eyes and not lead to any structural issues. Furthermore, these specs help in protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays and damaging blue lights. The rising consumer preference for such beneficial product’s properties is fuelling the market growth.

Adults are prone to eye-related issues such as presbyopia, a gradual weakening of the eyes’ capability to focus on nearby objects, an eye issue most noticeable among individuals in their early to mid-40s. If left untreated, presbyopia is known to progress gradually leading to more complex issues. Presbyopia mainly affects adults suffering from chronic and systemic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, macular degeneration, high cholesterol, thyroid, anxiety or depression, and arthritis.  Even the intake of antihistamines (to cure runny nose) or other medicines to cure these systemic conditions can have vision side effects that can worsen the risk of presbyopia. Extended hours of involvement in a visually demanding job/occupation is one of the major reasons for the prevalence of presbyopia and is necessitating the use of non-prescription glasses worldwide.

Despite their rising popularity, the inexpensive over-the-counter (OTC) reading glasses are known to cause vision discomfort, fit poorly, and are usually prone to scratches on lenses. However, the growing inclination towards these poor quality glasses is most evident in developing countries due to their price sensitiveness. The increasing demand for such cheaper product substitutes in these countries is attributable to their low cost as compared to the branded/quality reading glasses. An individual/user typically has an option to purchase more OTC reading glasses rather than investing in a quality non-prescription reading glass. This factor has is likely to hamper the market growth in the forthcoming years.

Key Players Covered:

The key companies operating in the global non-prescription reading glasses market are Eyekepper, TIJN, Felix Gray, Magnivision (FGX), MVMT, TruVision Readers, Cyxus, Pixel Eyewear, SEE, Foster Grant (FGX), Mechanix Wear, DEXFIT, NoCry, Youngstown, Seibertron, G and F, Stark, Dowellife, Superior Glove, Maxiflex.

The global non-prescription reading glasses market is segmented by frame type, glass coating, application, and geography. By frame type, the full frame glass segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020. Full frame glasses are gaining popularity among fashion designers and are being increasingly used along with a wide variety of clothing & accessories. Rimless glasses are also gaining attention owing to their lightweight characteristic. Rimless glasses do not usually cause any scratches or marks on a user’s face and are designed for enhanced comfort.

By glass coating type, the scratch-resistant coating segment leads the market owing to the increasing consumer demand for glasses that resist scrapes and other marks, which can affect the quality and longevity of eyewear. Even minor scratches can damage the lens’ surface and can impair vision. An anti-scratch or scratch-resistant coating functions as a protective layer in lenses, thereby increasing the glasses’ durability and functionality.

By application, the adults segment holds the major share. Though adults between the ages of 19 and 40 enjoy healthy eyes and good vision, the most common eye and vision problems for individual in this age group caused by visual stress by short-wavelength visible light and eye injuries. Thus, non-prescriptive reading glasses are more popular among consumers in this age group.

Regional Analysis:

North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The growing prevalence of ocular diseases paired with the increasing consumer preference for premium eye care products is favoring the regional market’s growth.  Adults aged 40 years and older are at a greater risk for eye diseases as their eye lenses tend to become less flexible, making it difficult to focus on faraway objects. Amblyopia, strabismus, and refractive errors are the most prevalent disabling health conditions among children in the U.S. These health conditions create a significant demand for a variety of vision care products. Furthermore, the rising trend of using glasses as a fashion symbol is also expected to boost the market revenue in this region.

Asia Pacific is expected to be the second largest market after North America for non-prescription reading glasses. The rising disposable incomes, increasing product affordability, and growing willingness to spend on premium vision care products are major macro-economic factors driving the regional market’s growth. Vision refractive errors caused by visual stress and short-wavelength visible light are more prevalent among the masses across developing countries such as India and China. Furthermore, rising brick & mortar establishments and a well-established e-commerce delivery system, improve the overall user experience regarding eye consultation, thus aiding in market growth.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In June 2021, VOY Glasses, a U.S.-based online platform for eyewear, launched its new line of VOY's 2nd Gen Glasses on Indiegogo, a U.S. crowdfunding website. These ‘tunable’ glasses were designed to allow users to adjust the lens’ power by using a small hidden wheel concealed in the frame. These glasses were initially intended for users who require multiple reading glasses but have also been marketed as ideal for individuals experiencing recurrent changes in eyesight.


• In May 2021, Globus Group, a U.K.-based manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE), partnered with Vision Express, U.K.-based spectacles & contact lenses company, to supply high-performance safety eyewear under the Global Group’s Riley RX brand. The new partnership aimed at enabling individuals to purchase safety glasses from the convenience of their local Vision Express stores.