Evolution and Future Trends of the Optical Lens Industry: The Disruptive Impact of the AR/VR Revolution

Evolution of the Optical Lens Industry 

The development trajectory of the optical lens industry reflects the evolution of modern optical technology, spanning three distinct phases:  

 19th Century to 1980s: Industry Emergence and Technological Accumulation  

German and Japanese companies, leveraging robust theoretical research and precision manufacturing, established the industry's foundation. Industry giants like Carl Zeiss AG, Canon, and Nikon dominated traditional optical instruments (e.g., telescopes, microscopes, film cameras) through continuous innovation. Manufacturing relied on manual grinding and precision machining—complex and costly processes that limited application scope.  

 1990s–Early 2000s: Rapid Growth and Industrial Expansion  

Japanese optical industries gained dominance with cost-effective, mass-production capabilities, forming a complete supply chain. Key breakthroughs included the widespread adoption of plastic aspherical lenses, which reduced production costs and weight, enabling consumer electronics proliferation. Innovations like autofocus and optical image stabilization significantly improved imaging quality and user experience. Japanese manufacturing expertise spread to South Korea and Taiwan, laying groundwork for East Asia’s optical supply chain.  

 21st Century: Diversification and Intelligent Integration  

Supported by policies and technological accumulation, China’s optical lens industry rapidly rose, forming clusters in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. Companies like Sunny Optical Technology, Largan Precision, and Yutong Optical broke international monopolies in mobile phone lenses, automotive cameras, and security surveillance. According to the China Optoelectronics Industry Association (COEMA), China’s optical lens market reached ¥14.036 billion in 2021, with a 10.85% CAGR (2017–2021), showcasing robust growth momentum.  

Current Technological Breakthroughs 

• Materials: Glass-plastic hybrid lenses dominate, balancing glass stability with plastic moldability to enhance imaging quality cost-effectively.  

 • Manufacturing: Wafer-level optics technology improves production efficiency and consistency.   

• Design Trends: Focus on miniaturization, high resolution, and large apertures.  

A landmark achievement by Chinese researchers: planar optical lenses integrating hundreds of millions of nanostructures on 1mm-thick substrates replicate traditional curved-lens functions. This innovation addresses smartphone lens protrusion issues and pioneers lightweight AR/VR device solutions.