New Regulations Standardize the Industry, Eyewear Sector Embarks on Diversified Development

2026-03-18 15:23:46

In July 2026, China's eyewear industry witnessed new changes in policy regulation, market structure, consumer demand and technological upgrading, moving toward greater standardization.

A draft regulation on metrological management for eyewear dispensing is now open for public comments. It requires optical stores to be fully equipped with professional devices such as refractometers and lensometers, and conduct regular mandatory verification of all equipment. Meanwhile, supervision over myopia prevention and control has become routine to rectify irregular business practices across the industry.

In the market, leading eyewear enterprises have acquired an overseas XR technology company to expand their presence in smart wearables. The smart glasses market has registered robust growth. Global shipments surged in the first quarter of this year, and relevant subsidy policies have further boosted domestic sales.

Consumer priorities have also shifted. Wearing comfort has overtaken prescription accuracy as the top consideration when purchasing glasses. Functional lenses tailored for different groups are gaining popularity, including myopia-control defocus lenses for teenagers, blue-light blocking lenses for office workers, and progressive multifocal lenses for the elderly. Thanks to strengthened regulation, excessive pricing has been curbed, and eyewear prices have returned to a reasonable range.

Technology and sales channels are also evolving. Major brands keep improving lens performance. National technical standards for AI glasses are being formulated at a fast pace, with their application scenarios constantly expanding. Traditional optical shops are transforming into professional vision care centers. The integration of online promotion and offline services has become the mainstream model, and the industry competition is now focused on professional eye health services rather than mere product sales.