In 2025, the optometric landscape continued its rapid evolution, delivering a steady stream of design innovations, emerging therapies, AI advancements, and new perspectives—and Eyes On Eyecare was there every step of the way.
Through in-depth articles, practical cheat sheets, and expert-led videos, our contributors delivered high-quality education for every stage of an OD’s journey, from students and new graduates to seasoned clinicians.
Some of the 2025 top trends in optometry include:
- Advancements in contact lens technology
- Making myopia management a top priority
- Convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and eyecare
- Commitment to co-management
- Ocular health as a lifestyle consideration
Incredible innovations in contact lens technology
Contact lenses continue to evolve rapidly, offering new materials, enhanced comfort, and advanced therapeutic and technological capabilities. Optometrists are taking advantage of the latest offerings in daily disposables and the increased capabilities of toric and scleral lenses. This was reflected in our 2025 Specialty Contact Lens Report
Some of the improvements we covered this year centered on material advancements that reduce dry eye and increase comfort; specialized lenses, such as ortho-K and bifocal/multifocal lenses; streamlining fitting practices; and drug-eluting lenses designed to deliver medication directly to the eye over a sustained period.
Read more about innovations in contact lenses:
Making myopia management a core clinical priority
The global prevalence of myopia is rising at an alarming rate, yet we now have several effective interventions to slow its progression. At present, approximately 30% of the world’s population is myopic, and if current trends persist, that figure is projected to reach nearly 50% by 2050.1 With these statistics in mind, it is no surprise that myopia control has become central to modern optometric practice.
Luckily, diagnostics allowing earlier detection, a broader range of therapeutic options, and increased awareness brought about by advocacy efforts are resulting in better treatment outcomes. More and more ODs are making myopia control a pillar of their practice.
And for those ready to join the effort to address the growing myopia epidemic, we were proud to offer actionable advice to facilitate a shift toward proactive disease modification rather than just reactive symptom correction.
Read more about the magnified focus on myopia management:
- The New Grad's Guide to Opening a Myopia Clinic with Checklist
- A Closer Look at Myopia Control Options: Comparing Efficacy, Safety, and Vision Quality
- Early Detection of Pre-Myopia and Myopia in Young Children
- Key Equipment for Optimal Myopia Management
- Partnering with Pediatricians to Improve Myopia Outcomes
- Slowing Myopia, One Bite at a Time
Best of 2025 Cheat Sheet
A gift for you! 🎁 To show our appreciation for your loyal readership, we have put together the ultimate collection of this year’s top clinical, pharmaceutical, and coding and billing downloads.
AI-driven diagnostics and data-powered eyecare
AI is reshaping diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency in optometry. Machine learning tools are enabling earlier detection of conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, while predictive analytics support monitoring of myopia progression and disease risk.
Emerging developments include more personalized treatment plans, sophisticated predictive analytics, virtual reality (VR)–based visual enhancements for individuals with visual impairment, and wearable technologies designed for rehabilitation, among many others.
However, as awareness and adoption of AI continue to grow, standardized protocols and regulatory frameworks are also being developed to address the ethical challenges associated with its use.
Read more about how AI is being utilized in optometry:
The new co-management model in modern eyecare
Co-management between optometrists and ophthalmologists has become even more critical as patient demands grow, cataracts become more prevalent, microinvasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) take their place as a first-line treatment, and technology expands, along with scope of practice.
This was reflected in the number of eyecare professionals now working in MD-OD practice, as reported in our 2025 Optometrist Report. Successful co-management demands a relationship grounded in trust, transparency, and shared purpose to deliver the best possible patient outcomes.
Refractive surgery, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, corneal cross-linking, and advanced disease management all require the seamless collaborative care that can only be achieved through relationship building, smooth workflows, and shared treatment protocols to maintain a continuity of care.
Get pearls for optimizing the co-management process with the articles below:
Download the Best of 2025 Cheat Sheet to get our top cheat sheets, patient handouts, and checklists all in one convenient PDF!
Ocular health as part of a healthy lifestyle
Optometry is becoming increasingly integrated into whole-body wellness. Eyecare in 2025 emphasized how visual health intersects with physical, mental, and digital well-being.
As screen time continues to increase in patients from pediatric to geriatric, ODs must further incorporate digital wellness as part of routine exams and management to address digital eye strain, fatigue, and dryness.
Preventive care strategies now include lens coatings, blue-light solutions, hydration, tear support, and lifestyle-based visual hygiene. In addition, optometrists are poised to be the early detectors of systemic diseases, with eye exams serving as indicators for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and autoimmune disorders.
As social media continues to provide medical advice, it is imperative that optometrists stay abreast of the latest misinformation and provide patients with accurate education to help them navigate the profusion of potentially dangerous information surrounding ocular health.
Read more on a litany of lifestyle topics with the articles below:
- Uncovering the Role of Blinking in Vision
- The Link Between Exercise and Ocular Health
- Maintaining Mental Health as a Private Optometry Practice Owner
- The Role of Blink Exercises in Improving Dry Eye Disease
- Castor Oil and the Eyes: The Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous
- The Role of Obesity in Ocular Health
Focus on the future
There are some very exciting pipeline treatments and pharmaceuticals set for release in 2026, including spectacle lenses to slow myopia, multiuse amniotic membranes, and a new generation of presbyopia drops.
To fulfill our mission of providing the most relevant resources, we will be covering a vast range of clinical and non-clinical topics in 2026, all geared to keep you educated, engaged, and entertained.
In 2026, you can expect:
- The launch of our Clinical Trial Tracker
- Robust articles on the most relevant topics, such as:
- Gene, cell-based, and regenerative therapies for inherited retinal diseases and AMD
- Next-generation presbyopia drops
- Further implementation of AI in all aspects of eyecare
- Broader use of amniotic membranes
- Expanded scope of practice legislation
- A range of EOE Events chaired by the industry's top KOLs
For more on the highlights and lowlights of 2025, head over to Glance to see a rundown of 2025 FDA approvals and ophthalmic launches.
In closing
We at Eyes On Eyecare appreciate your loyal readership over this past year and are excited to continue to supply the highest quality of free, easily accessible, and accurate information to you throughout the upcoming months.
