VisionPlus India

URE: INDIA’S DEFINING CHALLENGE India’s uncorrected refractive error burden remains one of the largest globally. While awareness has improved in the urban population, access and affordability gaps persist 2026 presents an opportunity, and responsibility, for the industry to align commercial growth with public health outcomes. Scaled solutions for affordable & durable vision correction will define long- term credibility. SUPPLY CHAIN AND MANUFACTURING The shift towards localisation, sadly, is not accelerating as it should. Import dependence, particularly on lenses and frames, must give way to a stronger focus on domestic manufacturing, faster turnaround times, and quality benchmarks. Make- in-India moves from intent to execution, supported by policy alignment, compliance readiness and investments. SUSTAINABILITY AND GROWTH Sustainability evolves from storytelling to measurement. While transparent sourcing and ethical practices become brand expectations rather than differentiators. Responsible growth will increasingly influence consumer trust and regulatory confidence. TALENT AND SKILLS A persistent shortage of trained optometrists, technicians, and retail professionals remains a structural challenge. 2026 will see greater emphasis on industry-led training ecosystems, continuous upskilling, and collaboration with NGOs and educational institutions as a need. Talent depth, not just capital, will determine scalability. REGULATION AND GOVERNANCE As the industry grows, regulatory oversight and standardisation will strengthen. Compliance, documentation, and governance structures will mature, pushing the sector towards professionalisation. Founder-led agility will gradually complement process-led sustainability. CONCLUSION: THE YEAR OF BALANCE 2026 is not about slowing down growth, it is about growing right. The winners in India’s optical industry will be those who balance: • Scale with service • Technology with trust • Growth with governance • Commercial success with eye health impact The outlook for 2026 is clear: maturity will define momentum. Mr. Ramachandran Parthasarathy Eyewear Business Strategy Expert South Asia Honorary Advisor, India Vision Institute EYE HEALTH AND PREVENTIVE CARE Perhaps the most significant shift in 2026 will be the movement from vision correction to vision management. Digital eye strain, early presbyopia, and uncorrected refractive error (URE) demand scalable, affordable, and preventive models. School screening programmes, workplace vision care, and community- based access models will move from pilots to structured partnerships. Optical retail will increasingly position itself as the first point of eye-care contact. PERHAPS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN 2026 WILL BE THE MOVEMENT FROM VISION CORRECTION TO VISION MANAGEMENT 44 VISION PLUS INDIA EDITION