MAKING CONTACT
By Denis Langlois
Comfort is key when it comes to contact lenses . In this still-growing Canadian industry , eyewear companies are continually developing and introducing new technologies aimed at keeping contact lenses hydrated longer and free from unwanted deposits .
A recent VisionWatch Canada report by The Vision Council says nearly 74 per cent of Canadians wear some form of vision correction . Nearly 14 per cent of those consumers – about 3.7 million people – wear contact lenses , making it the second-most popular form of vision correction after prescription eyeglasses .
The contact lens industry in Canada saw about five per cent growth in 2016 to reach $ 324 million in annual sales , according to a recent Euromonitor International report . It forecasts sales will continue to climb as contact lens manufacturers launch new and innovative products that target dryness and irritation to boost comfort .
That is all important information for eyecare professionals , especially considering the VisionWatch report ' s findings that a whopping 81 per cent of Canadian contact lens wearers purchase their lenses at physical retail locations , as opposed to online or over the phone . Many new contact lenses have hit the Canadian market in recent months . The common theme is the goal to boost all-day comfort .
20 Optical Prism | March 2017