Middle East & Africa Dry Eye Syndrome Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Anti-inflammatory Products {Cyclosporin, Corticosteroids, and Others}, Artificial Tears and Lubricants, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The Middle East & Africa is the fourth largest region in the global dry eye syndrome market. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. The global market for dry eye syndrome is projected to grow from USD 6.61 billion in 2022 to USD 11.26 billion by 2030.

Growing demand for eye care products for the treatment of this condition has led market players in the region to expand their production capacity by making strategic alliances with native players. For example, in July 2020, Ntc s.r.l. granted an exclusive license and distribution rights to Taro Pharmaceuticals in Israel for its fixed combination of an ophthalmic quinolone antibiotic with an anti-inflammatory steroid in eye drops. Similar efforts from leading players for the development of innovative prescription drugs will accelerate the Middle East & Africa dry eye syndrome market size during the forecast duration.

Based on country/sub-region, our report on the Middle East & Africa dry eye syndrome market covers the following countries/regions – GCC, South Africa, and the Rest of the Middle East & Africa.

LATEST TRENDS

Incorporation of Nanomedicine in Treatment May Pose Growth Potential

One of the key trends observed in the market is the rising application of nanoparticles in ocular diseases that allows targeted delivery, slow-release, and enhanced pharmacokinetics, therefore improving the bioavailability of drugs in the eyes. Nanomedicine offers ultra-small size particles, having versatility and target specificity, and has recently been widely investigated for treating this condition. Drugs formulated as nanoparticles can enhance the treatment of this condition with long-term drug release capacity and will reduce dosing frequency compared to topical treatments. The incorporation of such technologies for therapeutics in this market is expected to offer improved patient outcomes, leading to more robust patient adoption. Hence, such ongoing research and a growing pipeline for dry eye products are predicted to be a new trend for the future.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Prevalence of this Condition May Propel the Market Growth

One of the positive market-impacting factors for this region’s growth is the growing prevalence of this condition, which may lead to an increase in its diagnosis rate. This is expected to drive the demand for its treatment across the region. Companies engaged in the market are focusing on making strategic initiatives to expand their product presence in this region to meet the existing demand. They are also focusing on upscaling their production capacity through the expansion of its manufacturing facility.

• As per an article published by SA Ophthalmology Journal in January 2023, the prevalence of dry eye syndrome in South Africa is 54.9%. Such high prevalence in the key countries of this region for this condition is anticipated to offer growth opportunities for market players to introduce novel eye care products in the coming years leading to the market growth. This is also expected to boost the adoption of a wide range of drugs, including OTC drugs.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Limited Awareness Regarding the Condition to Limit the Market Growth 

Despite the growing prevalence of this condition, one of the key factors limiting the market growth is the lack of awareness regarding the treatment options available across the region. Limiting factors in the Middle East include poor patient education concerning this condition, lack of proper general practitioner system, irregular follow-up, high rates of refractive eye surgery, high rates of contact lens wear, and environmental factors. The confluence of such factors severely limits the market growth potential. Moreover, many studies witnessed poor attitudes of the general population toward treatment related to this disease as most of them do not visit routinely to an ophthalmologist. Furthermore, the high cost of specialty dry eye products may also limit the Middle East & Africa dry eye syndrome market growth.

• As per a study published by the International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries in January 2021, a study was conducted amongst the populace in Saudi Arabia in which 88.9% of the respondent indicated that they did not have a routine ophthalmologist visit. Such instances demonstrate that the diagnosis rate is low in this region, which may lead to a lower adoption rate of these eye care products, limiting the Saudi Arabia market potential.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

In the Middle East & Africa, the competitive landscape has the presence of some of the prominent players such as AbbVie, Inc., Alcon, and Novartis AG. These companies are focused on strengthening their supply and demand by upscaling their production capacity.

Some other market players include Bausch & Lomb Pvt Ltd. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and others. These companies are focused on expanding their Middle East & Africa dry eye syndrome market share by making a strategic alliance with native players to strengthen their distribution network across the regions.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• AbbVie Inc. (Ireland)


• Alcon (Switzerland)


• Novartis AG (Switzerland)


• Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Japan)


• OASIS Medical (U.S.)


• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (India)


• Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka Holdings, Co., Ltd) (Japan)


• Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.) (U.S.)


• VISUfarma (Netherlands)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2022: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. invested USD 118 million to expand its Ireland facility.


• September 2021: Ntc s.r.l. entered into a partnership with STADA Arzneimittel AG to commercialize its ophthalmic products in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that are intended to address several ophthalmic diseases, blepharitis, dry eye, and allergy.


• October 2020: Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced a partnership with Orbis International to address the increasing burden of eye diseases in low and middle-income countries, especially in Asia.

REPORT COVERAGE

The Middle East & Africa dry eye syndrome market research report provides qualitative and quantitative insights on the market and a detailed analysis of the Middle East & Africa market size & growth rate for all possible segments in the market. Along with the market overview, the report provides an elaborative impact analysis of drivers and restraints along with competitive landscape. Various key insights presented in the report are prevalence of the condition, by key countries, new product launches, reimbursement policies, regulatory scenario, healthcare industry overview, key countries, and the impact of COVID-19 on the market.

Report Scope & Segmentations