Vision Expo West 2025: Lessons Learned from AI, Trade Barriers, and Customer Service

Now that Vision Expo West 2025 in Las Vegas has wrapped up, our team at Foundation Eyewear has had some time to reflect on what we saw, heard, and felt on the show floor. It was a reminder of both how far the eyewear and eye health industries have come, and how many challenges still lie ahead—especially for those working outside of the U.S.

Artificial Intelligence dominated the conversation this year. From smart-glasses with upgraded AI features to diagnostic software that promises to make practices more efficient, AI is moving quickly from buzzword to everyday tool. The education program leaned heavily into this theme, exploring how AI might reshape clinical workflows, patient care, and even practice management. At the same time, there was a strong emphasis that eye care will always be a people-first industry. One-on-one relationships, trust, and personal service can’t be replaced by algorithms, and many speakers made the point that we’re still in the early innings of figuring out where AI fits.

The exhibition floor, as always, delivered plenty of innovation and excitement. Meta’s Ray-Ban glasses drew attention, with new features that make them feel more natural to use. But as impressive as the technology is, the privacy debate lingers. With more than 2 million units sold, it’s clear the product has momentum, but many attendees voiced concerns about whether the everyday user is comfortable being recorded in public. The balance between cool tech and consumer trust is something the industry hasn’t solved yet.

Conversations on the floor also reflected the business realities facing the industry. Many suppliers from Europe and Asia were less visible this year, and Canadian attendance was down as well. Tariffs and trade barriers are clearly taking a toll, and several exhibitors told us that business has been noticeably slower because of them. For suppliers not based in the U.S.—which is the majority of the industry—the message is clear: finding ways to grow outside the U.S. market is becoming a necessity, not a choice.

Another recurring theme was the urgency many companies feel in building or reshaping their teams. Between rising costs, new technologies, and changing expectations from patients, there’s pressure to both replace and upskill team members to keep pace. Roles that bridge clinical expertise with customer service and technology know-how are in high demand.

If there was one area that continued to shine, it was education. The sessions were excellent, with a strong focus on customer service and advancements in clinical knowledge. Many reminded us that while technology will keep evolving, patient experience and professional expertise are still what make practices thrive.

Vision Expo West once again proved itself as the place where the future of our industry is on display. It combined innovation, education, and human connection in a way that no other event in North America can. At the same time, the conversations around AI, tariffs, privacy, and international participation showed just how much work still needs to be done to keep the industry balanced, sustainable, and focused on what really matters.

We’re already looking ahead to Orlando and the next Vision Expo. Our hope is that the lessons from Las Vegas carry forward: a stronger global presence, clearer guidance around privacy and AI, and a renewed commitment to the personal service that has always defined our profession.