According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2.5 billion people globally need at least one assistive product and this number is expected to reach 3.5 billion by 2050. As demand for assistive products continues to grow, healthcare professionals should stay informed on emerging technology trends to help patients access the most effective solutions available.
2025 in Review: Assistive Technology in Healthcare
In 2025, assistive technology continued to advance, but adoption, not availability, became the key focus. As AI-powered solutions spread, ensuring patients could confidently use these tools proved as important as the innovations themselves.
A major trend was a shift toward usability. Rather than adding complexity, developers prioritized intuitive design and seamless integration into daily life. Smart glasses, for instance, combined AI with voice controls, allows users to interact naturally while maintaining independence.
Vision-related assistive technology also emphasized ease of use in 2025, helping people with everyday tasks like reading and navigating their environment. Patients prioritized tools that are easy to understand, comfortable to wear and practical for daily life, which encourages long-term adoption and confidence.
Barriers to Adoption
Despite these advances, adoption remains a challenge. Healthcare providers play a critical role in helping patients understand how devices work, what outcomes to expect and how to use them effectively. While many patients are familiar with mainstream wearables like fitness trackers or smartwatches, specialized assistive devices for mobility, vision or daily tasks are still underutilized.
These devices can offer features such as real-time navigation, text-to-speech, voice control and hands-free operation, significantly enhancing independence. Providers who educate patients on these capabilities and offer hands-on guidance can help ensure successful adoption and improved quality of life.
2026 Outlook: The Next Phase of Vision Assistive Technology
Looking ahead, wearable assistive vision technology is expected to integrate more seamlessly into daily life. Devices will move beyond isolated tasks, providing continuous support for reading, navigation and other daily activities. This shift will help patients manage routines with greater independence and confidence.
These devices are also becoming more proactive and intuitive. Features like real-time environmental awareness, contextual guidance and automatic alerts can reduce the effort required for daily tasks, making adoption easier.
For healthcare professionals, staying informed about these advancements is essential. Guiding patients on proper use, personalization and integration with other devices will maximize the benefits of assistive technology and ensure meaningful improvements in independence and quality of life.
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Roland Mattern
Roland Mattern, Director of Sales for eSight by Gentex, brings over 30 years of experience in sales and marketing for medical devices and pharmaceuticals, with the past two decades focused on ophthalmology. His unwavering dedication to eSight’s mission—to empower individuals with sight loss through enhanced vision—drives his work. Having spent his career marketing vision-assistive devices, Mattern has witnessed firsthand how companies like eSight are transforming lives and redefining what’s possible for those with visual impairments.
