Safety Eyewear Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Prescription, Non-Prescription), By Application (Oil & Gas, Construction), By Distribution Channel (B2B, D2C), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Safety Eyewear Market Size & Trends

The global safety eyewear market size was estimated at USD 4.00 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2024 to 2030. The market for global safety eyewear is being driven by a combination of stringent workplace safety regulations, increased awareness of eye protection, and technological advancements in eyewear design. Governments and regulatory bodies across the world are enforcing strict safety standards to reduce occupational hazards, particularly in high-risk industries like construction, manufacturing, and mining. Compliance with these regulations necessitates the use of safety eyewear, propelling demand. Moreover, as awareness of occupational health and safety grows, companies are increasingly investing in personal protective equipment (PPE) to safeguard their employees, which includes high-quality safety eyewear.

Technological advancements also play a significant role in driving the market. Innovations such as anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings, improved impact resistance, and the integration of smart features like head-up displays are enhancing the functionality and appeal of safety eyewear. These advancements not only improve the protective qualities of the eyewear but also increase user comfort and convenience, leading to higher adoption rates. Moreover, the development of stylish and aesthetically pleasing designs is helping overcome resistance to wearing safety eyewear, especially among younger workers.

In industries like healthcare, eye protection is crucial due to potential exposure to infectious diseases, chemicals, and other hazards. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of protective eyewear in preventing the spread of infections, leading to increased demand in both medical and general public settings. The growing trend of industrial automation and the use of advanced machinery, which pose significant eye injury risks, are further contributing to the expansion of the global market.

In October 2023, Bollé Safety, a leading manufacturer of protective eyewear, launched a new collection of safety goggles called Globe for industrial workers. The Globe collection features a wraparound design that provides a wide field of vision and offers protection against dust, splashes, and impacts. The goggles are designed to be comfortable and compatible with other personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats and face masks. The Globe collection is available in various lens tints to suit different lighting conditions and work environments.

Product Insights

Non-prescription safety eyewear accounted for a market share of 67.1% of the global revenues in 2023. Non-prescription safety eyewear can be worn by anyone, regardless of their vision requirements, making them a versatile option for a wide range of industries and activities. Moreover, they are typically more affordable than prescription safety eyewear, which needs to be customized to the user's specific vision needs. This appeals to both employers and individuals looking to comply with safety regulations without incurring high costs.

The prescription safety eyewear segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% from 2024 to 2030. Prescription safety eyewear is designed to provide the necessary protection for the eyes while also correcting vision with prescription lenses. These are specifically made for individuals who require vision correction, such as those who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism. The recognition of the importance of vision clarity and comfort in hazardous work environments has led to a greater focus on providing prescription safety eyewear options. Employers and safety managers understand the need to ensure that workers with vision issues have access to properly fitting protective eyewear that allows them to see clearly and perform their tasks safely.

Application Insights

Industrial manufacturing accounted for a market share of 32.1% of global safety eyewear revenues in 2023. The rapid growth of the industrial manufacturing sector is a key driver for the market. Industrial manufacturing involves a range of operations such as processing, assembling, and finishing, which expose workers to various hazards like dust particles, harmful chemicals, and dangerous light radiations. This increases the demand for safety eyewear in the industrial manufacturing industry. The availability of various types of eyewear, such as goggles, visors, and glasses, required for job safety is another factor that is positively affecting the uptake of safety eyewear in the industrial manufacturing sector. Key manufacturers are focused on delivering customized safety eyewear to boost product adoption among employees.

The growth of safety eyewear in construction applications is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2024 to 2030. The construction industry is a major end user of safety eyewear due to the high risk of potential eye injuries faced by workers. As construction activities continue to expand, especially in developing regions, the need for protective equipment like safety glasses is expected to rise. One key factor driving the demand for safety eyewear in construction is the exposure to flying dust, debris, and hazardous materials that can cause eye injuries. The operation of heavy machinery and equipment also increases the risk of eye accidents, making safety glasses a crucial piece of personal protective equipment for construction workers.

Distribution Channel Insights

Sales of safety eyewear through B2B channels accounted for a share of 77.9% of the global revenues in 2023. Strict workplace safety regulations and standards imposed by government agencies and industry bodies have mandated the use of safety eyewear across many industries, creating significant demand for these products through the B2B channel as companies procure them to meet regulatory compliance.

Safety eyewear manufacturers and distributors often provide customized solutions and value-added services to business customers, including conducting safety assessments, offering prescription eyewear programs, providing training, and delivering maintenance and repair services. The ability to offer these tailored B2B services has made the B2B channel an attractive avenue for safety eyewear providers to expand their reach and cultivate long-term relationships with corporate clients.

The sales of safety eyewear through D2C channels are anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2024 to 2030. The convenience and accessibility of the DTC model allow consumers to purchase safety eyewear directly from manufacturers or online retailers, eliminating the need to visit physical stores. This appeals to busy professionals and workers who value the ability to easily obtain their required safety gear without disrupting their schedules.

In addition, DTC platforms often offer a wider range of customization options, enabling consumers to tailor their safety eyewear to their specific needs and preferences, including choosing from a variety of frame styles, lens types, and additional features like anti-fog or scratch-resistant coatings. By cutting out intermediaries, DTC brands can often offer safety eyewear at more competitive prices compared to traditional retail channels, making high-quality protective eyewear more accessible to a broader range of consumers, especially those in price-sensitive industries.

Regional Insights

The safety eyewear market in North America accounted for a share of 28.9% of the global revenue in 2023. The market is driven by several key factors. There is an increasing awareness of workplace safety and the importance of protecting employees from potential hazards. This increased awareness is driven by stringent occupational safety regulations and standards set by organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). These regulations mandate the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety eyewear, to prevent workplace injuries.

U.S. Safety Eyewear Market Trends

The market in the U.S. is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2024 to 2030. The increasing need for safety eyewear, such as goggles and glasses, in workplaces across the U.S., is primarily driven by regulatory standards that mandate the use of protective gear to minimize workplace hazards, ensure compliance, and safeguard employee well-being. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 2,000 U.S. workers sustain work-related eye injuries each day that require medical attention. More than 100 of these injuries result in one or more days away from work. Approximately 10% to 20% of work-related eye injuries will result in temporary or permanent vision loss. The largest volume of eye injuries occurs in the 18-45 age group (35%).

Europe Safety Eyewear Market Trends

The safety eyewear market in Europe accounted for a share of 31.5% of the global revenue in 2023. In Europe, the emphasis on safety workwear across various industries stems from stringent regulations aimed at safeguarding workers from occupational hazards. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, healthcare, mining, and oil & gas enforce mandatory safety gear and eyewear requirements to mitigate risks effectively. According to the 2021 Labour Force Survey, 4,410 people in the U.K. suffered from non-fatal eye injuries, with most of the surveyed people reporting eye injuries and vision loss in one or both eyes. Such instances are a clear indication of the increased need for safety eyewear in workplaces, a factor that is likely to propel market growth over the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Safety Eyewear Market Trends

The market in the Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2024 to 2030. The safety market in Asia Pacific is significantly driven by rapid industrialization in countries like China, India, and across Southeast Asia. This industrial growth spans sectors such as manufacturing, construction, and mining, where stringent safety protocols, including the use of protective eyewear, are essential to mitigate workplace hazards such as debris, chemicals, and UV exposure.

In Asia Pacific, according to the International Labor Organization, the largest employment sectors are agriculture, agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing, and wholesale and retail trade. These sectors collectively employed over 1.1 billion workers in 2021, accounting for 60% of the region's nearly 1.9 billion workforce.

Key Safety Eyewear Company Insights 

The competitive landscape of the global market is characterized by the presence of well-established brands, niche market players, and emerging companies, each vying for market share through innovation, brand loyalty, and strategic collaborations. Market players are focusing on increasing investments in R&D, expanding distribution channels, and implementing targeted marketing campaigns to grow in the market.

Recent Developments

• In April 2024, Popticals, a premium eyewear brand, launched the POPZULU Ops Edition, a line of ballistic glasses and safety eyewear. POPZULU is designed for tactical and industrial environments, offering full-scale defense with lenses engineered to shield and a frame that can collapse into a pocket-sized hard-shell case. The POPZULU sunglasses feature an innovative frame design and patented FL2 Micro-Rail System technology for collapsibility. They are crafted using high-quality materials like Hydrophobic Ri-Pel coating, Grilamid TR90 for lightweight and durability, and Impacto lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision that are 5X more resistant to hits and stresses than polycarbonate.

• In April 2024, Innovative Eyewear, Inc. announced the filing of two new U.S. patent applications related to its new Lucyd Armor smart safety glasses product, which is planned for introduction in mid-2024. The utility patent application covers the product's functional aspects, while the design patent application covers its ornamental design.

• In May 2024, Protective Industrial Products (PIP), a leader in personal protective equipment, acquired Scope Optics Pty Ltd., a safety eyewear company based in Australia. By incorporating Scope Optics' safety eyewear into its existing portfolio of eye protection brands, PIP is adding a wider selection of premium designs, advanced lens technologies, and exceptional value to serve its customers better. The acquisition of Scope Optics is another example of PIP's proven acquisition strategy to strengthen its portfolio of head-to-toe PPE solutions

Safety Eyewear Market Report Scope

Global Safety Eyewear Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global safety eyewear market report based on product, application, distribution channel, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Prescription

    • Up to USD 10

    • USD 10 to USD 20

    • USD 20 to USD 40

    • USD 40 to USD 70

    • Above USD 70

  • Non-Prescription

    • Up to USD 25

    • USD 25 to USD 50

    • USD 50 to USD 100

    • USD 100 to USD 150

    • Above USD 150

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oil & Gas

  • Construction

  • Industrial Manufacturing

  • Military

  • Public Sectors

  • Others

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Business to Business (B2B)

  • Direct to Consumers (D2C)

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • Spain

    • Italy

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa