Punctal Plug Devices Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Permanent Punctal Plugs, Temporary Punctal Plugs, and Semi-Permanent Punctal Plugs), By Material (Silicone, Collagen, and Others), By Indication (Dry Eye Syndrome, Post-LASIK Induced Dry Eye, Epiphora, and Others), By End-user (Hospitals, Specialty Clinics, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Punctal plugs are small medical devices that are inserted into the tear ducts (puncta) of the eyes to block the drainage of tears. They are used to treat dry eye disease by preventing tears from draining away too quickly, which helps maintain moisture on the eye surface. They can improve functional visual acuity and Schirmer test scores and may reduce the need for eye drops. The Schirmer test is used to determine whether the eye produces enough tears to keep it moist.  In addition, punctal plugs offer a minimally invasive and relatively painless solution to address dry eye syndrome, making them a more appealing option. This is expected to boost their demand, augmenting the market growth in the coming years.

The market growth is primarily attributed to the rising prevalence of ocular diseases, such as dry eye syndrome globally. The punctal plug devices aid in the treatment of such conditions by preventing drainage of tears and maintaining moisture. This is expected to boost the adoption of such devices, driving the market growth during the forecast period.

• For instance, according to the article published by Touch Medical Media in September 2023, the worldwide prevalence of dry eye syndrome was reported between approximately 5.0% and 50.0%.

In addition, the prevalence of such disease is higher among the geriatric population, particularly among females. In such a case, a surge in the number of old-age individuals globally is expected to boost the demand for punctal plug devices, propelling the market growth in the coming years. In addition, the rising use of eye cosmetics among women is increasing the prevalence of dry eye syndrome globally. These significant risk factors contributing to high disease burden are projected to drive the demand for punctal plug devices, boosting the market growth during the projection period.

• For instance, according to the article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in July 2022, a study for dry eye syndrome associated with the use of eye cosmetics reported that the prevalence of dry eye syndrome was 71.6% among all conditions caused.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a slightly negative impact on the punctal plug devices market. This decline was mainly due to the temporary closure of several ophthalmology clinics and a decrease in the number of patient visits to the hospitals in 2020. This decreased the administration of punctal plugs in patients' eyes, declining the market growth during the pandemic. In 2021, patient visits to ophthalmology clinics increased significantly for previously postponed procedures. This led to a frequent surge in the use of punctal plugs for treating several eye conditions, thereby propelling the market growth after the first year of the pandemic.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Prevalence of Key Diseases, By Key Countries/Region, 2023


• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, Partnerships)


• Number of Ophthalmology Clinics By Key Countries/Region, 2023


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market    


• Overview: Technological Advancements in Punctual Plugs    

Analysis by Type

Based on the type, the market is classified into permanent punctal plugs, temporary punctal plugs, and semi-permanent punctal plugs. The permanent punctal plugs segment is projected to account for a significant share of the global punctal plug devices market during the forecast period. The segmental growth is attributed to the rising preference for permanent punctal plugs and the strong recommendations by healthcare professionals for the utilization of these devices for dry eye treatment. Permanent punctal plugs are made of materials such as silicone or acrylic and can last for 3 to 4 years or more, providing long-term relief from dry eyes. In addition, they require less maintenance compared to the semi-permanent plugs, which need to be replaced periodically. These benefits are expected to boost their recommendation by several optometrists globally. This is projected to boost their adoption, driving the segmental growth in the coming years.

On the other hand, the temporary punctal plugs are expected to grow at a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period. The temporary plugs are made of collagen or other dissolvable materials and can provide short-term relief for dry eye symptoms, especially after refractive surgeries such as LASIK. In addition, they can be easily inserted into the puncta and cause little to no irritation. The use of these plugs avoids the risk of permanent punctal closure, such as irreversible tearing, before committing to long-term treatment. Moreover, temporary plugs are quite cost-effective compared to permanent plugs, which increases their adoption rate among individuals looking for short-term solutions. This is expected to boost the segment growth in the forthcoming years.

Regional Analysis

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The global market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America is expected to hold a significant share of the punctal plug devices market during the forecast period. The market growth of this region is primarily attributed to the high burden of dry eye syndrome in the region. This high disease burden is primarily due to the increasing screen time of working professionals in the region. The increased screen time poses a major risk for the occurrence of dry eye syndrome, which is expected to boost the market growth of the region in the coming years.

• For instance, according to the data published by CNBC LLC, in January 2024, around 70.0% of the U.S. population in office jobs spent more than 7 hours watching screens.

Asia Pacific is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast timeframe. The growth of the region is mainly attributed to the growing awareness about the dry eye syndrome and its impact on the quality of life. Punctal plugs help maintain eye moisture and alleviate symptoms of such disease, improving the quality of life. These benefits associated with such devices are increasing their demand in the region, which is expected to boost the market growth in the forthcoming years.

Key Players Covered

The market consists of significant players such as Corza Medical, FCI, OASIS Medical, Inc., Innovia Medical, Lacrivera, BVI, and Medennium Co., Ltd.

Key Industry Developments

• In April 2024, OASIS Medical, Inc. launched a new SOFT PLUG Extended Duration 180-T Tapered Plug, designed with a 0.25mm tapered end to address dry eye syndrome. The plug is expandable up to a 0.6mm diameter at the top end to occluding the canaliculus.


• In November 2021, Innovia Medical acquired Lacrimedics, Inc. to add Lacrimedics Inc.’s occlusion therapy devices, such as punctal plugs, to its existing portfolio for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.


• In February 2021, Mati Therapeutics, Inc. acquired the intellectual property and other assets of the Evolute punctal plug delivery system (PPDS) from Novelion Therapeutics Inc.