Ophthalmology Diagnostics and Surgical Devices Market

Ophthalmology industry is witnessing a rapid pace of technological advances in order to achieve efficient diagnosis and treatment platforms. Maintenance of normal vision is vital as eyes are one of the most crucial sensory organs. Defects in vision and other infections, inflammations may result in complete loss vision. Hence, various ophthalmological diagnostic and surgical treatment devices play an utmost important role so as to avoid vision loss and improve the quality of life of patients. The ophthalmic diagnostic platforms aid the ophthalmologist to have a detailed view of the internal eye structure and helps in examination of the microvasculature of the eye. Thus, providing appropriate diagnosis of the ophthalmic condition. Post diagnosis the patients are either prescribed vision care products in case of normal vision corrections (refractive errors) or surgeries are performed based on ophthalmic condition. The major factors attributing towards the growth and proliferation of ophthalmological devices market are its persistent product modifications and continuous rise in geriatric population. Furthermore, high demand for efficient diagnostic platforms, minimally invasive surgeries, and improved healthcare infrastructure is also propelling the growth of this market. On the contrary, high cost of the high end advanced diagnostic platforms, technologically advanced surgical procedures coupled with lack of professional expertise might restrain the growth of ophthalmology devices market. The global market for ophthalmology devices market was valued at USD 26,012.6 million in 2012 and is estimated to reach USD 40,381.6 million by 2019 growing at a CAGR of 6.6 % from 2013 to 2019.

Ophthalmology devices market can be analyzed by product type, applications and geography. The product type is further segmented into several diagnostic, surgery devices and vision care products. Vision care segment accounted for the largest market segment and was valued at USD 17,615.8 million in 2012 growing at CAGR of 7.1% throughout the forecast period from 2013 to 2019. This growth has been attributed towards the growth of large consumer base, rise in the number of advanced software applications along with increase in the incidence of ophthalmic refractive errors. As per the data published by World Health organization (WHO) in the year 2013, around 82% of the people aged 50 and above are currently living with blindness. Also, it had stated that uncorrected refractive errors have led to visual impairments especially in the low and middle income economies.

Innovation and novelty in several diagnostic platforms such as the use of mobile smart phone applications for eye visualization and hand held instruments has boosted the growth and uptake of several diagnostic platforms. Also with the extensive use of lasers such as femtosecond, excimer and YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) lasers, ophthalmology surgery devices market is now exhibiting a tremendous growth potential. Moreover, with the use of LASIK (Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis) surgery techniques, Vitreoretinal techniques, Intra ocular lenses (IOLs) and retinal implants are anticipated to push the growth of surgical equipment market. The applications market of ophthalmology devices represents the diagnosis, surgery and vision care. The diagnostic and surgical applications are interdependent to a certain extent. Post diagnosis of the ophthalmological condition, the mode of treatment is decided.

Regional analysis of ophthalmology devices market covers four major geographic regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World (RoW). North America and Europe dominated the global ophthalmology devices market and accounted for largest percentage share accounting for around more than 55% of the total market. This has been justified through the presence and ready acceptance of technological sophistication, improved healthcare policies and well trained ophthalmology professionals in these regions as compared to other developing regions. In addition, growing awareness in patient population has further augmented the growth and development of ophthalmology devices market in these regions. Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to record high growth rate owing to increased efforts of the respective governments of the nations in this region. In addition, improvement in the overall healthcare sector and huge untapped customer base in this region has triggered the market growth. The rapidly flourishing middle class families and increased preference of patient population to avail technologically advanced medical solutions would further support the growth of ophthalmology devices market in the Asia-Pacific region. However, high cost of the diagnostic devices along with minimal standardization along with unstructured reimbursement policies may limit the growth prospects for the development of effective diagnostic and surgical devices.

The overall ophthalmology devices market is highly fragmented with the presence of both well established as well as emerging companies in this field which includes Alcon Laboratories (Novartis), Topcon Corporation, Bausch & Lomb, Inc. and Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Nidek Corporation, Cooper Vision, Ciba Vision and others.