opti, the international trade fair for optics & design, at the beginning of the year is a guarantee for innovations and trends in ophthalmic optics. Until 2 February, the industry will be showcasing latest developments, products and designs in the field of vision. opti presents latest trends and innovations: From the most recent frame and material trends to the up-to-date developments of biometric lenses and lenses for presbyopia to the presentation of premium screening concepts.
Design trends 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, New York eyewear trend researcher Selin Olmsted identifies five design and material trends for frames:
1. SCULPTURAL – Eyewear as Wearable Art
Thick profiles, bold bevels, intricate millings, and rich textures such as tortoise, horn, and marble dominate. These frames celebrate craftsmanship and the artistry of design.
2. SENTIMENTAL – Personal Touches Fused into Design
Nostalgic elements, handcrafted details, and playful designs create frames with emotional resonance and individuality. Imperfections celebrated.
3. PUNK QUOTIDIEN – The New Fringe Wave of Self-Expression
Inspired by the raw energy of fringe subcultures, these designs embody new norms of beauty and authenticity.
4. SURREALISM – A New Reality, Unexpected and Playful
Unconventional shapes, dreamy details, and a touch of whimsy bring eyewear into a world of imaginative expression.
5. ULTRALIGHT – The Future of Comfort and Innovation
A quest for ultimate lightness with materials like titanium, 3D-printed elements, and High-Density acetate. These frames offer ultra-thin profiles, transparency layers, and precision engineering for a barely-there feel.
Up and coming material and colour innovations
According to the New York trend researcher, the materials used and the type of lenses, such as their tint, also contribute to these five trends:
Acetates. Olmsted sees this material in 2026 with retro-inspired tortoises, marble and horn textures, and layered gradients in neutral, tonal, or vibrant palettes. Explore innovative contrasts with multi-layer colors and exposed core wires in temples.
Lenses. Here she defines a bandwidth from super-dark smoke or purple to saturated solids and double/triple gradient lenses in vivid sunset and spice tones.
Metals. This frame material classic, Olmsted sees newly re-defined with dual-color finishes like inner gold and outer black, adding a fresh perspective to bestsellers like gold, rose gold, and black.



Technological Breakthrough: Enhancing Visual Experience
In the field of lens technology, various brands have made groundbreaking advancements. Rodenstock has launched the B.I.G. EXACT® Sensitive lens, which combines biometric data of the eyes with individual visual sensitivity, providing wearers with a smoother and more dynamic visual experience that improves reading and spatial awareness. HOYA has developed the VisuPro series of lenses aimed at individuals in their 30s to 40s who are experiencing early symptoms of presbyopia. The VisuPro All Day and VisuPro Flex are part of the Advanced Focus product category, effectively addressing issues of blurred vision and headaches when using electronic devices at close range. Additionally, they showcased the MiYSOMART lenses for myopia management, supporting efforts to prevent myopia in children.


Professional Services and Industry Outlook: Driving Industry Upgrades
The exhibition not only focuses on product innovation but also on industry services and future development. OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH offers innovative products for efficient, customer-oriented eye screening, including slit lamps, Keratograph 5M, and Pentacam®, which can be seamlessly integrated into existing examination and consultation processes, enhancing work efficiency through automated data collection and analysis tools.
At the TOMORROW VISION joint exhibition area, nine renowned contact lens manufacturers showcased new concepts for contact lenses through technology demonstrations and interactive exchanges, highlighting the diverse possibilities of contact lenses. Christian Müller, President of the German Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA), summarized the development of the eyewear industry at the exhibition’s opening. Despite challenging conditions, the industry’s revenue grew by 1.8% compared to the previous year. He emphasized the promising future of the optical eyewear industry, urging practitioners to work together to ensure the nationwide supply of vision correction products and enhance the industry’s appeal.


OPTI 2026
Fair dates: 2026.1.16-18
Website: https://www.opti.de/