We’re still buzzing with excitement, connection, and new learnings from Vision Expo West, 2025. The event concluded on September 20, 2025, after four days of education, innovation, and networking that energized the global optical community.
Nearly 10,000 eye care professionals from 80 countries (and all 50 U.S. states) gathered in Las Vegas this year. Thirty-four percent were first-time attendees, and over 56% were key decision-makers for their practices. The energetic expo floor and packed classrooms showcased the technologies, trends, and talent shaping the future of vision care and eyewear.
In this recap, we’ll reflect on the major highlights, announcements, and industry trends from the event, including our own Virtual Field team’s experience on-site.
Key Highlights and Innovations on the Vision Expo West Floor
The redesigned exhibit hall made it easy to explore specific interests, with dedicated areas for eyewear, eyecare, independent design, and tech and innovation. Over 340 exhibiting brands and companies showcased the latest in eyewear design, clinical practice solutions, and patient care technology. Major eyewear players unveiled new Fall 2025 frame collections, while independent designers highlighted artistry and niche trends in boutique eyewear.
On the eyecare side, established healthcare companies alongside emerging tech startups introduced new diagnostic instruments, treatment tools, and pharmaceuticals, transforming patient care.
At this year’s Vision Expo West, a significant focus was on cutting-edge tech innovation. In the new LaunchPad startup pavilion, more than 20 startups debuted breakthrough solutions in AI, VR, AR, and diagnostics.
The Tech & Innovation show floor was glowing with demonstrations of wearable diagnostic devices, software platforms for practice management, and retail tech for optical businesses. This area was where eye care leaders who are committed to creating exceptional eye exam experiences using modern technology found our Virtual Field booth to learn more about virtual reality in vision testing.
If you didn’t make it to our booth, you may not have learned about our latest innovation in interoperability: DICOM 360 Sync.
Virtual Field’s DICOM 360 Sync transforms exam workflows into a fully connected, zero-touch experience — from patient setup to report sync to record attachment. Designed for eye care clinics that demand speed, accuracy, and effortless interoperability, this suite eliminates wasted time, reduces human error, and elevates patient care.
The show floor also featured interactive attractions to keep energy high. The NOW Design Showcase put the spotlight on creative eyewear, with a live competition where attendees voted on the most innovative frame designs (winners to be announced at next year’s show).
Attendees networked over coffee and happy hours at The Vision Council’s TVC Bar, unwound with mini-golf and themed drinks in the VSP Beer Garden, and mingled in dedicated lounges like the Platinum Club. These social spaces underscored that Vision Expo is as much about community connection as it is about products and education.
Education Program and Top Sessions
Vision Expo West 2025 delivered a robust education program with 270+ hours of continuing education spanning clinical techniques, business management, and hands-on workshops. Notably, this year introduced fast-paced “Summit” sessions, which were bite-sized continuing education (CE) talks offering quick insights on trending topics in eyecare, backed by proprietary research available only at the Expo.
Another new feature was a special Refractive Surgery program that, for the first time, brought optometrists and ophthalmologists together for joint sessions on the future of cataract and refractive care, bridging the two communities with collaborative discussions. Attendees could also get hands-on with technology in an expanded Technology Showcase, which connected classroom learning to real devices.
On the Main Stage, attendees were treated to expert panels, product pitch competitions for startups, award ceremonies, and the always-anticipated “Flaunt the Frame” eyewear fashion show. One Main Stage highlight was the VSP Vision Innovation Challenge, a live startup pitch competition in which six finalists presented novel ideas to enhance eyecare delivery. These awards underscored the Expo’s emphasis on nurturing innovation.
Virtual Field’s Experience at Vision Expo West 2025
For Virtual Field, Vision Expo West 2025 proved yet again to be a critical gathering of like-minded eyecare heroes committed to providing exceptional care by investing in education, technology, and shared learning.
Our booth stayed busy every day of the exhibit hall, with eye care professionals stopping by to experience a hands-on demo of our Virtual Field Pro device. We lost count of how many times we heard comments like, “This is so much more comfortable than the old perimeter bowl!” or “I can’t believe how portable it is – I could use this in multiple exam rooms.”
Our team also answered questions about DICOM 360 Sync and its ability to enable instant, automatic integration of Virtual Field exam results into any EMR/EHR system.
“Connectivity shouldn’t be a luxury in eye care,” noted CEO Jeremy Barlow during the launch, emphasizing the importance of seamless data flow. “Clinics deserve technology that just works—instantly, securely, and without excessive costs.”
With DICOM 360 Sync, as soon as a patient completes a VR visual field test, the report can auto-populate in the practice’s medical records with no manual data entry or file uploads. This announcement resonated with tech-savvy attendees who know how much time can be saved with true interoperability.
“We’re setting a new bar for what eye care technology should deliver – instant, error-free performance that practices can rely on every day,” Barlow added, highlighting that many competitors charge extra for similar capabilities.
Perhaps most rewarding for our team were the success stories we heard from current users who visited our booth. Optometrists told us how Virtual Field had helped them expand visual field testing to satellite offices, and how patients appreciated a more engaging testing experience.
Industry Trends and Takeaways
Several clear industry trends emerged from Vision Expo West 2025.
First, technology integration in eye care is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Conversations everywhere at the show – in education sessions and on the exhibit floor – centered on AI, automation, and data connectivity. Many ODs and practice managers are actively exploring how tools like artificial intelligence (for clinical decision support or documentation), telehealth platforms, and fully integrated diagnostic devices can improve patient care and practice efficiency.
There is a shared sense that embracing high-tech solutions will be critical to meeting evolving patient expectations and managing workloads in optometry and ophthalmology.
Another major trend is the blurring of lines between ophthalmology and optometry, and a spirit of collaboration across the vision care team. The introduction of the joint refractive care program is one example of how the industry is breaking silos, and it reflects a broader trend of ODs and MDs working together on challenges like myopia control, co-managing cataract and refractive surgery patients, and sharing diagnostic data.
This collaborative approach was also evident in multi-disciplinary panel discussions and the diverse mix of attendees networking (opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, and industry reps all mingling).
Overall, the key takeaway from Vision Expo West 2025 was one of optimism and innovation. The show left attendees energized and equipped with new connections and knowledge. Whether it was discovering a game-changing piece of equipment, learning a new clinical procedure, or simply exchanging ideas with peers over coffee, almost everyone we spoke with felt the trip to Las Vegas was well worth it.
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Vision Expo
Vision Expo West 2025 also marked the end of an era in a sense – it was the last standalone “West” show, as the organizers announced that starting in 2026, there will be one unified Vision Expo per year instead of separate East and West.
The first combined Vision Expo 2026 is set for March 11–14, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. After that, the plan is to rotate the location: 2027’s Expo will return to Las Vegas (March 10–13, 2027, at The Venetian Expo), and 2028’s will move to New York City (Javits Center). The aim is to capture the best of both East and West in one powerhouse show each year, timed to align with buying cycles and CE needs while making it easier for the whole community to gather in one place.
For those of us at Virtual Field, we’re already looking forward to exhibiting at Vision Expo 2026 in Orlando with even more innovations to share.
Missed us at Vision Expo West 2025? Don’t worry – you can still experience our virtual visual field testing firsthand.
Schedule a demo with our team, and we’ll personally show you how Virtual Field can elevate your practice’s diagnostics and workflow. What happens in Vegas doesn’t have to stay in Vegas. 😏 We’d love to bring the highlights of our Vision Expo showcase directly to you, wherever you are. Feel free to reach out to book a demo or get more info on any of the trends and products discussed in this recap. In the meantime, keep an eye on these industry developments – from VR diagnostics to AI and smart eyewear – because they’re not just buzzwords, they’re shaping the future of eye care.
We’ll see 👀 you at the next conference!
About Virtual Field
Virtual Field delivers an exceptional eye exam experience. Eye care professionals including ophthalmologists and optometrists examine patients faster, more efficiently, and more comfortably than ever before. Exams include Visual Field, 24-2, Kinetic Visual Field (Goldmann Perimetry), Ptosis, Esterman, Color Vision, Pupillometry, Extraocular Motility (EOM), and more.
