EVENT
SPECTARIS General Assembly & Future Festival 2026
Don't miss our annual highlight for exchange, inspiration, and shaping the future of the SPECTARIS industries together!
Consumer Optics Trade Association
Eyeglasses and contact lenses offer the highest level of visual comfort and, in addition to enhancing your sense of well-being, improve your quality of life and provide good UV protection.
In total, more than 42.3 million people in Germany wear glasses, and more than three million wear contact lenses. The SPECTARIS Consumer Optics Trade Association brings together around 100 manufacturers and wholesalers of products that are sold by opticians—and, in some cases, by ophthalmologists—or used in their work. These include eyeglass lenses, eyeglass frames, sunglasses and sports glasses, contact lenses and care products, magnifying vision aids, vision testing devices, binoculars, rifle scopes, spotting scopes, optician supplies, and retail merchandise.
Our association supports member companies in navigating regulatory requirements and gives the entire industry a voice in the political arena.
Experts and decision-makers from the industry come together in the committees of the Consumer Optics Trade Association—for example, at the Trend Forum, the Consumer Optics Industry Day, market information events, or in the specialized divisions for contact lenses, photography, and optical instruments. The focus is on professional exchange regarding topics such as current market changes, the trade show calendar, and various joint campaigns.
Photography Technology Section
A fascination with photography and imaging technology, together with optical technology, forms a cornerstone of the Consumer Optics Trade Association—from high-tech cameras to creative visual worlds.
The Photography Technology Section brings together leading manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers from the imaging sector to discuss market developments, technological trends, international trade shows, and regulatory issues.
Remote Optics Section
The Binoculars and Spotting Scopes Group brings together manufacturers and suppliers of binoculars, spotting scopes, and rifle scopes. The group discusses and exchanges views on all relevant topics. These include, among others, current market developments, major trade shows in Germany and abroad, customs and export issues, and the publication of test reports, as well as DIN standards, environmental issues, and safety and defense topics. The group also cooperates closely with our SPECTARIS Photographic Technology Technical Group to leverage synergies and address overlapping topics.
The Industry AT A GLANCE
Optical Industry Report
Our industry report, “Optometry: Germany and the World—Markets, Consumers, and Trends 2024/2025,” provides you with a comprehensive overview of the market.
You can order our new industry report, “Optometry: Germany and the World—Markets, Consumers, and Trends 2024/2025.” The report is available for purchase in digital format at any time. A limited number of print copies will be available upon request starting in January 2026.
Where can you find all the data on the optical industry in Germany and beyond summarized at a glance? The answer is simple: in our SPECTARIS Optometry Industry Report 2024/25. In addition to a comprehensive overview of the year 2024, this market data compendium—compiled by SPECTARIS in collaboration with the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA)—provides detailed insights into the first quarters and trimesters of 2025. In addition, you’ll find the key takeaways from the available data for the past and current years from Euronet Software AG in Frechen and GfK in NilsenIQ, Nuremberg.
A special highlight this year: For the first time in five years, the report presents updated data from the Allensbach Eyewear Study on people with vision impairments in Germany. This consumer section provides valuable insights into consumer behavior, preferences, and needs. The comprehensive consumer data helps opticians and the industry better understand their target audiences and tailor both product development and marketing to meet customers’ actual needs.
Whether it’s the latest information on demographic trends, an overview of the online segment of the market, or a look at several other topics—all are briefly summarized for you in this report, which is a must-have for your annual series. Spanning more than 70 pages and featuring around 200 charts and tables, the new Optometry Report provides a detailed overview of the optometry industry both in Germany and abroad. With its comprehensive industry data, this publication—which has been in print for over ten years—has become a popular handbook for the industry. The report is published by the German Industry Association SPECTARIS and the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA).
For more information about the report and how to order it, please visit the following link.
Facts, Figures, and Publications
Note for students:
We'd be happy to support you in your research efforts and send you a free copy!
Your Contacts
Specialist in Analytical, Biological, and Laboratory Technology / Specialist in Photography
What Our Members Say
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.”
OBE relies on high-quality products “Made in Germany.” Thanks to innovation and automation, spring hinges and security screws can be manufactured in large quantities at the Ispringen facility. This goes hand in hand with increased productivity and a division of labor for simple products at our facility in China. In this way, we secure jobs in Germany.
Peter Specht / Erik Schäfer - Managing Directors, OBE
