Surge in Cataract and Galucoma to drive the Ophthalmic Devices market

Ophthalmic devices encompass a broad spectrum of design types as well as applications like contact lenses, glasses, implants, intraocular lenses, lasers, diagnostics, surgical instruments, and solutions. These devices are categorized under any one of the 3 European Directives - the Active Implantable Directive, the Medical Devices Directive, and/or in-Vitro Diagnostic Directive.

Based on the degree of risk involved with the utilization of the device, there are 4 classes of ophthalmic devices - Class I, Class II a, Class II b, and Class III. Class I implies corrective frames and glasses, permanent magnets to remove ocular debris, and eye occasion plasters. Class IIa and IIb include contact lens care solutions, surgical lasers, instrumentation and sutures, corneal and scleral implants, and intraocular lenses. Class III includes implants that contain medicinal substances/produced using tissues of animal origin.

There have been increasing incidences of cataract and glaucoma of late. This factor is bound to keep the hopes high for ophthalmic devices in the forecast period. The other factors include the growing focus of eye care professionals on educating customers regarding eye care. Plus, IOLs (Intraocular Lenses) are doing the rounds.

Ophthalmic devices could be sub-segmented into diagnostic devices, ophthalmic surgical devices, and vision care devices. The second category further consists of glaucoma surgical devices, refractive error surgical devices, vitreoretinal surgical devices, and cataract surgical devices. Coming to diagnostic devices, it says retinal ultrasound systems, corneal topography systems, ophthalmoscopes, fundus camera, optical coherence tomography systems (OCT systems), tonometer, and slit lamps. Out of these OCT, systems hold the largest market share.

By geography, it’s North America ruling the roost. As per the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, the major reason behind blindness in the US between 2010 and 2050 would “diabetic retinopathy”. Furthermore, glaucoma would be adding to blindness and loss of vision.

The key players include Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, HAAG-Streit Holding AG, Topcon Corporation, Novartis AG, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., HOYA Corporation, and Nidek Co., Ltd. Extensive research is on the anvil on the part of these players.