Contact Lenses Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Modality (Reusable and Disposable), By Design (Toric, Multifocal, and Spherical), By Material (Soft, Gas Permeable {Orthokeratology and Scleral}, and Others), By Distribution Channel (Ophthalmologists, Retail Stores, and Online Stores), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global contact lenses market size was valued at USD 10.45 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 11.08 billion in 2024 to USD 18.30 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. North America dominated the global contact lenses market with a market share of 34.45% in 2023.

Contact lenses are thin, curved lenses placed on the film of tears that cover the surface of the eye. These lenses are medical devices and are often soft or hard, depending on their nature, comfort, and reusability. Regulated by the U.S. FDA, contact lenses require a prescription.

The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as the growing geriatric population coupled with increasing cases of refractive disorders, such as astigmatism, presbyopia, myopia, and hyperopia. With the increasing age of the global population, the need for improved quality eye care also evolves and expands, thus positively impacting market growth.

• According to the data published by Alcon in 2022, approximately 90.0% of all visual impairments are treatable and preventable. Approximately 65.0 million people are living with moderate to severe vision impairments due to cataracts, 153.0 million with uncorrected refractive errors, 1.8 billion with presbyopia, and 146.0 million with diabetic retinopathy.

Furthermore, growing awareness among the population regarding eye health coupled with supportive government initiatives is creating significant growth opportunities for the market.

• In July 2021, the United Nations General Assembly adopted an initiative, “Vision for Everyone,” to provide eye care to 1.1 billion people with preventable sight loss. The initiative will help address the impact of vision loss on social and economic development and improve efforts to make eye care services a part of universal healthcare.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted market growth, as during the initial outbreak, most countries imposed the shutting down of businesses. The non-urgent care facilities were suspended, which included office visit constraints and the halt to contact lens fittings for some regions. Moreover, the increasing preference for eyeglasses to reduce the risk of infections among consumers during the pandemic restricted the adoption of contact lenses.

Contact Lenses Market Trends

Increasing Demand for Daily Disposable Lenses Among the Population Drive Market Growth

The increasing cases of refractive errors, such as myopia, hyperopia, and others, are resulting in the growing demand for contact lenses for refractive error correction and therapeutic purposes.

• According to the data published by NCBI, in December 2023, more than 2.0 billion people globally have vision impairment. In addition, according to the data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2023, approximately 6.8% of children younger than 18 years in the U.S. are diagnosed with eye and vision conditions.

Furthermore, several manufacturers in the industry are creating awareness programs and launching innovative products in the market to support the sales of daily disposable lenses.

• In October 2023, Alcon launched a TOTAL30 Multifocal lens for patients suffering from presbyopia. The lens provides enhanced visual insight, which helps address comfort and vision needs.

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Contact Lenses Market Growth Factors

Increasing Prevalence of Refractive Errors to Boost the Penetration of Lenses

Refractive error is a common ocular problem affecting all age groups and is considered a public health challenge. Several studies and WHO reports stated that refractive errors cause visual impairment and vision loss. Rising cases of myopia and presbyopia, mostly among children and adults, are increasing the percentage of people who have vision impairment globally.

• According to the data published by WHO, in 2023, approximately 2.2 billion people will have nearsightedness, and about 1.0 billion will have severe or average visual impairment or blindness due to uncorrected refractive error.

Furthermore, increasing initiatives by national and regional government agencies and key market players toward increasing awareness about the advantages of vision correction among the population have boosted the number of vision correction users globally, including lens wearers.  These factors have contributed to the contact lenses market growth.

• According to data published by CooperVision in 2023, there were around 45.0 million lens users in the U.S. alone. Also, according to the data published by NCBI, in 2023, approximately 140.0 million people are using lenses worldwide.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Alternative Treatment Options for Refractive Errors to Restrict Market Growth

The long-term use of lenses has several side effects, such as corneal edema, infection, red eye, superficial keratitis, and others, due to which an increasing percentage of the patient population is looking for an alternative treatment option for vision correction. Technology and medical research advancements have introduced several alternatives, such as laser eye surgery, implantable lenses, and corneal inlays.

Lasik surgery is one of the most successful vision correction surgeries. It is a revolutionary and highly effective method that offers permanent solutions to issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism refractive error. Therefore, shifting people's preferences toward these surgeries to get permanent relief from these problems further limits the adoption of contact lenses.

• In September 2023, ZEISS published an article stating that there is a higher adoption of robotic laser-guided vision correction technology in India. The company’s MediTech division has installed Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) technology in more than 1,500 hospitals and clinics globally, owing to the increasing adoption of laser surgery procedures.

Therefore, the presence of several alternative options that can provide long-term solutions for vision impairment may restrict market growth.

Contact Lenses Market Segmentation Analysis

By Modality Analysis

Reusable Segment to Dominate the Market Owing to its Potential Benefits

By modality, the market is segmented into reusable and disposal. The reusable segment dominated the market in 2023. The segment's growth is due to an increasing number of patients suffering from refractive errors and a growing number of lens wearers. According to the data published by Alcon in January 2023, patients with astigmatism prefer to wear reusable lenses, and with the increasing cases of astigmatism, the adoption of these lenses will continue to increase during the forecast period.

• Furthermore, the data published by WHO in March 2023 stated that astigmatism is a common refractive error, with an estimated prevalence of 40.0% in adults. It accounts 13.0% of the refractive errors in the human eye.

Additionally, the benefits of reusable lenses, such as durability and comfort, will augment the market growth during the forecast period.

Disposable segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is attributable to the rising inclination of the population toward daily disposable lenses as they reduce wearing complications. This, along with the introduction of new disposable lenses by leading players, will drive the segment’s growth.

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By Design Analysis

Spherical Lenses Hold Leading Position with its Versatility and Innovation by Market Players

By design, the market is segmented into toric, multifocal, and spherical.

The spherical segment captured the highest market share in 2023 with its easier surface design, exact fittings, and multi-faceted usages, such as for hyperopia or myopia. Thus, the aforementioned factors are increasing the penetration of these lenses, further driving the adoption and demand for these lenses during the forecast period.

The toric segment is expected to grow at a considerable rate during the forecast period due to the increasing prevalence of astigmatism among the population. Toric lenses correct astigmatism, along with hyperopia and myopia. Moreover, the rising focus of market players on introducing new products is one of the primary reasons behind the segment's growth.

• For instance, according to 2022 statistics on Eye Disease in America published by NVISION Eye Centers, astigmatism occurs in one out of every three people in the U.S.

The multifocal segment is projected to witness considerable growth during the forecast period. The increasing prescription rate of multifocal lenses by eye care professionals for patients suffering from presbyopia is one of the important factors supporting the growth of the segment.

Also, the rising focus of key market players on R&D to develop and launch multifocal lenses for conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, and others is another factor contributing toward the growth of the segment.

• According to ClinicalTrials.gov, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. is undertaking a study to develop daily disposable silicone hydrogel multifocal lenses for patients with myopia and hyperopia.

By Material Analysis

Soft Segment Leads With its Increasing Adoption Owing to its Comfort and Ease

By material, the market is segmented into soft, gas-permeable, and others. The gas permeable segment is further segmented into orthokeratology, scleral, and others.

The soft segment dominated the market in 2023 due to growing awareness regarding the potential benefits of these lenses, such as offering better vision over eyeglasses. Soft lenses, mainly disposable ones, are in higher demand due to their ease of use, storage, and cleaning.

• In June 2023, Bausch + Lomb announced the U.S. launch of infuse multifocal silicone hydrogel (SiHy) daily disposable lenses. These lenses use ProBalance technology to deliver proper comfort and meet the dynamic vision needs of patients with presbyopia.

The gas permeable segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. These lenses allow a higher oxygen flow to the cornea, promoting better ocular health. Therefore, enhanced oxygen permeability makes gas-permeable lenses suitable for individuals with specific eye conditions, such as presbyopia or astigmatism, where precise correction is essential. Moreover, these lenses offer higher durability and resistance, leading to a longer lifespan and reduced replacement frequency. Thus, these advancements in materials and manufacturing processes contribute to the segment's growth.

By Distribution Channel Analysis

Affordable Pricing Offered by the Retail Stores to Contribute to its Dominating Share

By distribution channel, the market is segmented into ophthalmologists, retail stores, and online stores.

The retail stores segment captured the highest market share in 2023. The rising preference toward retail stores among consumers, as they offer easy access to consumers who need immediate availability to try on lenses in person, contributes to the segment's growth. Additionally, retail stores offer a wide range of options and brands, which makes it easier for consumers to find the appropriate products.

Also, the rising number of collaborations and acquisitions of these stores by market players is predicted to expand the chain of these stores.

• In 2020, Menicon Co., Ltd. acquired shares of a contact lens retail outlet in Osaka Prefecture—the acquisition aimed to expand the penetration of the company’s products in the market through retail channels.

The ophthalmologists segment captured the second position in terms of the global contact lenses market share in 2023. Several patients are considering prescription lenses from ophthalmologists, leading to an increased focus on companies distributing lenses through eye care professionals (ECPs), mainly in developed countries.

The online stores segment is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. The higher growth of this segment is attributed to evolving regulatory policies for online sales of these devices in developed countries and the entry of leading e-pharmacy players into the market. Moreover, the pandemic has contributed heavily to the preference for online stores over retail.

• For instance, in March 2022, the Vision Council published a report stating that sales of online eyewear accelerated after the pandemic. It increased by 14.0% by the end of 2021.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

On the basis of geography, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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North America dominated the contact lenses market, generating a revenue of USD 3.60 billion in 2023. The market's growth is attributed to growing awareness regarding various types of vision correction treatment options and the growing number of people suffering from refractive errors. Thus, the increasing cases of refractive errors, such as myopia and hyperopia, among others, would lead to the growing demand for advanced lenses in the U.S. and Canada, further driving market growth.

• According to the data published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in November 2023, approximately 150 million Americans suffer from refractive errors, which are the most common type of vision problem in the U.S.

Europe's market accounted for a substantial market share in 2023 and is expected to grow considerably during the forecast period. The growth in the region is attributed to factors such as increasing regulatory approvals for novel lenses, which is supporting manufacturers in launching new contact lenses in the regional market.

• In October 2023, the European Commission approved revising the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) to accelerate the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) requirements for some products, including lenses. This will amend manufacturers to assign a Master UDI-DI to some products instead of individual UDI-DIs.


• According to the Association of Optometrists, lens penetration was the highest in Sweden at 14.8%, followed by Denmark (13.19%) and Norway (11.37%). This is anticipated to drive the growth of the market.

The market for contact lenses across Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Increasing cases of vision impairment in the region are prompting medical professionals to enhance diagnostic techniques for ocular diseases in the inbuilt laboratories of ophthalmologist clinics and hospitals. Manufacturing companies are introducing several technologies to develop these lenses, driving market growth in Asian countries. Moreover, the growing disposable income in emerging countries of the region is also providing favorable conditions for the market’s growth.

• In May 2022, Johnson & Johnson Inc. started multiple initiatives in India, such as “Vision Made Possible,” to create awareness and consideration for lenses. The company aims to increase the adoption of its lens brand, ACUVUE.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are projected to witness lucrative growth during the forecast period. However, the increasing cases of vision impairment and rising adoption of these devices in the regions are expected to drive regional growth during the forecast period.

• According to Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., there are around 1.7 million prescription and 4.2 million new lens wearers in the Middle East.

List of Key Companies in Contact Lenses Market

Robust Product Portfolio of Key Players Solidify their Market Position

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., Bausch + Lomb, The Cooper Companies, Inc., and Alcon are some of the market players that held a considerable market share in 2023.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care and Cooper Companies Inc. captured a significant market share in 2023 owing to growing collaboration and partnerships with several companies and increasing R&D expenditure to advance its current product portfolio offerings.

• For instance, in 2022, the R&D expenditure of Cooper Companies Inc. was around USD 110.3 million compared to USD 92.7 million in 2021. The R&D activities of Cooper Vision Inc. are primarily focused on the development of lenses, manufacturing technology, and process enhancements.

Furthermore, other companies, such as Menicon Co., Ltd, HOYA Corporation, EssilorLuxottica, and Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, also operate in the contact lenses market. These companies are constantly working toward advancements and new product launches to expand their offerings in the international market.

• For instance, in November 2022, Menicon Co., Ltd received approval from China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its Menicon Z Night, a medical device (orthokeratology lens). The company aims to increase its sales in China. 

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

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


• Alcon (Switzerland)


• The Cooper Companies Inc. (U.S.)


• Menicon Co., Ltd. (Japan)


• HOYA Corporation (Japan)


• EssilorLuxottica (France)


• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• October 2023 – Alcon launched the TOTAL30 multifocal lenses for patients suffering from presbyopia. The lenses will be distributed in the U.S. and some international markets.


• June 2023 – Bausch + Lomb launched Multifocal Silicone Hydrogel lenses, Bausch + Lomb INFUSE, in the U.S. market. It is a daily disposable lens that provides clear vision for patients with presbyopia.


• March 2023 – The Cooper Companies Inc. launched its CooperVision MyDay Energys lenses in the U.S. market. The lens is for people with the symptoms of pervasive digital eye strain.


• February 2023 – Alcon launched a new total toric lens for astigmatic patients. This launch expands the company’s daily disposable and reusable lens portfolio with high-performing options designed explicitly for astigmatic patients.


• January 2021 – Alcon launched a daily disposable silicone hydrogel (SiHy) lens, PRECISION1, in the U.S. market. The product is designed for patients with astigmatism.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Contact Lenses Market

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The market report for contact lenses provides a detailed competitive landscape. It includes a number of key industry developments, such as partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. Additionally, it focuses on key points such as new product launches in the market. Furthermore, the report covers regional analysis of different segments, company profiles of key market players, market trends, and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. The report consists of quantitative and qualitative insights that contribute to the market's growth.

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