CLI Releases New Profitability Report Highlighting Value of Contact Lens Patients
Tuesday, September 29 2026 | 10 h 32 min | News
The Contact Lens Institute (CLI) has released Profitability Perspectives: Rethinking the Value of Contact Lenses, an in‑depth report examining profitability factors associated with contact lens and eyeglasses patients. The publication is based on the first‑ever U.S. analysis of contact lens profitability, informed by primary data collection across multiple optometry practices.
The report includes tools for assessing potential financial gains—such as incremental and lifetime value models—alongside worksheets, expert guidance from CLI Visionaries, and a 90‑day implementation plan. It also incorporates retrospective insights from prior CLI See Tomorrow research on how contact lenses are valued by wearers and prospective wearers.
Stronger patient–practice relationships linked to contact lens wear
CLI Executive Director Stan Rogaski notes that contact lens wear often reflects a deeper, more durable relationship between patient and practice, supported by clinical expertise, convenience, choice and trust. The economic advantages identified in the report are described as measurable outcomes of patient‑centered care.
Independent research shows higher profitability among contact lens patients
The report builds on topline findings from an independent research team:
- Professor Philip Morgan, University of Manchester
- Professor Lyndon Jones, CORE / University of Waterloo
- Professors Ash Morgan and John Whitehead, Appalachian State University
Their analysis shows that contact lens patients generate 29% to 86% higher annual profits compared to eyeglasses‑only patients. The aggregated data also includes exam frequency, demographics and practice costs.
Between November 2025 and May 2026, researchers collected data from 20 U.S. optometry offices, representing varied practice settings and geographies. The dataset included four years of revenue and expense information for 600 patients, covering different forms of vision correction, along with details from each patient’s most recent representative purchase.
The investigators write that enhanced profitability is a downstream effect of patient satisfaction and clinical success, enabled by contemporary contact lens technologies.
Report rollout and availability
CLI will amplify the findings at the American Academy of Optometry 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place September 30–October 3 in Anaheim, California. A 12‑part YouTube series featuring one‑minute insights from three of the researchers is also available.
The full report can be accessed at profitabilityperspectives.com.
CLI’s mission is to advance innovations in safe and effective contact lens products and services, supporting both patient benefits and the evolving needs of eye care professionals. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision.
Source: Contact Lens Institute
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