The global contact lens (CL) market is expected to be worth $19.45bn (over £15bn) in 2024, with soft lenses accounting for the majority sold (Vision Center, 2024). But a significant proportion of those who try lenses stop wearing them shortly after starting. One study found that 26% drop out of wearing them within their first year. Of those, 25% discontinued during the first month and 47% within 60 days (Sulley et al, 2017). 

The main reasons people give for stopping included poor distance vision (26%), poor near vision (16%), discomfort (14%), and handling problems (15%). The study also found that for 71% of those who stopped wearing lenses, no alternative CL or management strategy was attempted (Sulley et al, 2017).