So wrote this prominent British educator and researcher in his contact lens textbook [ [1] Bier N. Contact Lens Routine and Practice. Butterworths, London1957 Google Scholar ] half a century ago – prior to the introduction of soft lenses, frequent replacement lenses, daily disposability and silicone hydrogels, to name just a few of the developments in the contact lens field since then. Would Bier have been correct if he had made that statement today? Based on the volume of contact lens-related research being undertaken in universities, the current rapid pace of change in the industry, the continuing introduction of new contact lens and lens care products into the market, and the enormous investments still being poured into research and development by the major international contact lens companies, the answer would have to be a resounding “no”! Which brings us to the point of this tale: that there is a need to constantly monitor movements in the marketplace and relate these changes to national and international trends in fitting habits, so that the contact lens industry can be assured that it is introducing appropriate products to serve the prescribing needs of practitioners, and that practitioners are able to meet the visual and lifestyle needs of their patients.