Contact Lenses Market Size

Global Contact Lenses Market Overview

The Contact Lenses Market Valued at USD 11.2 billion in 2023, projected to grow from USD 11.6 billion in 2024 to USD 18.56 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.90% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).

The rising geriatric population base and surging visual defects in young children owing to the increased screen time before computers, laptops and smartphones are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth. Moreover, the smart contact lenses market leading players are involved in developing awareness campaigns and establishing innovative products, which are predicted to promote the growth of daily disposables.

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Contact lenses are small lenses applied to the eye's surface to correct eyesight. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist commonly prescribes it to correct eyesight or to assist in managing specific corneal problems. It is normally made of a polymeric substance. The most common refractive defects that contact lenses treat are astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia. 

They can also treat problems like keratoconus, an eye condition that causes the cornea to become progressively curved, and presbyopia, which impacts people over 40 and causes them to become more farsighted. A patient's visual requirements and lifestyle are often considered when prescribing contact lenses. Depending on their construction, comfort, and size, they are either hard or soft.

In 2024, several leading companies in the contact lens market continue to drive innovation with advanced products designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.

Bausch + Lomb, a renowned name in eye care, is expanding its product line with the introduction of new multifocal lenses. Building on the success of its SiHy Daily product line, Bausch + Lomb has launched these lenses in the U.S. and Japan. The company is also set to introduce a toric version designed for astigmatism, offering patients clearer and more comfortable vision correction. Additionally, Bausch + Lomb has gained international approval for its Biotrue® Hydration Plus multi-purpose solution, helping users maintain lens hydration throughout the day​.

CooperVision continues to innovate with its MyDay Energys one-day lenses, which are specifically designed to combat the discomfort caused by digital eye strain. Using DigitalBoost technology, these lenses provide enhanced comfort for users who spend long hours on digital devices. By addressing the growing issue of digital eye fatigue, CooperVision is meeting the needs of a highly tech-savvy population​.

Alcon, another major player in the contact lens market, has introduced the TOTAL30 premium reusable toric lens for astigmatism. This lens is designed to offer enhanced comfort and stability, meeting the needs of astigmatic patients in the U.S. and Europe. With this launch, Alcon continues to expand its portfolio of high-performance contact lenses​.

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care also remains at the forefront of the contact lens market with its ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day Multifocal lenses, which cater to individuals with presbyopia. These lenses are part of the company's ongoing efforts to provide solutions for aging populations and people with complex vision needs​.

The market is expected to rise during the projected period due to the rising prevalence of refractive errors worldwide and the increasing acceptance of these ocular prosthetic devices amongst developing nations. Increase knowledge of the advantages of detachable lenses versus reusable ones, such as avoiding side effects from cleaning solutions, such as eye discoloration. 

The primary factors boosting market growth include an aging population base and an increase in visual abnormalities in young children due to increased screen time before desktops, laptops, and smartphones. The top players in the smart contact lens market are also working on innovative products and awareness efforts that are expected to spur the demand for daily disposables.

The market's top players are also developing awareness campaigns and introducing cutting-edge products, which are expected to encourage the growth of daily disposables. Contact lenses can correct refractive defects for nearsightedness and farsightedness, enabling the wearer to see clearly. Toric lenses can treat astigmatism and alter the cornea's shape. 

There are specialized enhancer glasses that can aid someone who is color blind in differentiating between colors. Special low-vision lenses can be used to enlarge and improve the wearer's central vision in age-related macular degeneration cases.

Contact Lenses Market Trends

An increase in the prevalence of myopia is driving the market growth

Market CAGR for contact lenses is driven by most presbyopia, and myopia among children and adults is constantly growing. This, along with limited awareness and uncertainty among the general population toward eyesight modification, specifically in emerging countries, is responsible for the growing number of people with vision impairment. 

Furthermore, the demand for ultra-vision contact lenses is increasing as they provide excellent vision and superb, all-day comfort to people with myopia. In the future, healthcare professionals to monitor the progress while using different contact lens types in real-time using advanced sensing techniques such as near-infrared spectroscopy. Several factors drive this growth in the contact lens market, such as the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the rising demand for contact lenses due to cataract surgery.

Additionally, the need to eliminate spectacles and adopt 'Plano' sunglasses to expand aesthetic appearance drives the market for contact lenses. The increasing innovations in contact lenses have enhanced the adoption of contact lenses. 

Since its U.S. launch in March 2019, Alcon’s AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal Intraocular Lens (IOL) has become a game-changer in cataract surgery. Designed to provide comprehensive vision correction, the PanOptix lens delivers outstanding near, intermediate, and distance vision, eliminating the need for glasses post-surgery. This trifocal lens has revolutionized cataract surgery, offering improved quality of life for patients by minimizing the reliance on eyewear. Thanks to its innovative ENLIGHTEN® Optical Technology, the lens also provides excellent performance in low-light conditions, which further enhances its appeal​.

As of today, over a million PanOptix lenses have been implanted worldwide, underscoring its success and the growing demand for presbyopia-correcting IOLs. This growth reflects the broader trend in the eye care sector, with increasing numbers of patients seeking advanced solutions for presbyopia and cataracts. Alcon’s commitment to innovation continues to position them as a leader in the IOL market, with a notable surge in interest for multifocal lenses​.

Furthermore, the overall contact lenses market is experiencing significant advancements, particularly in areas such as drug-delivery capabilities and daily disposable options. As patient preferences evolve, the demand for more convenient and advanced contact lenses is expected to fuel continued growth in the sector​.

Leading manufacturers are focusing on increasing their R&D investments to develop and introduce technologically advanced lenses. These lenses will be mainly used for vision correction, fueling product usage among the patient population. 

In 2024, CooperVision and Alcon, two leading players in the contact lens industry, have made significant strides in expanding their manufacturing capabilities and product offerings, reinforcing their commitment to innovation and sustainability.

CooperVision has continued its expansion efforts, particularly through a major project at its West Henrietta facility in New York. The 150,000-square-foot expansion increases its manufacturing, packaging, and distribution capacity, enabling the company to meet the growing global demand for its contact lenses. 

This includes cutting-edge advancements in packaging and order fulfillment technologies. Additionally, CooperVision’s commitment to sustainability is evident with its LEED Silver-certified Scottsville facility, which manufactures products like the Biofinity toric lenses. Both of CooperVision’s major sites are powered entirely by renewable energy, aligning with their goal to reduce environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency .

Alcon, on the other hand, has made noteworthy updates to its TOTAL30 product line, particularly in its toric lenses for astigmatism. As of November 2024, Alcon has expanded the fitting parameters of the TOTAL30 for Astigmatism, boosting its first-lens fit success rate to 95%. This new development is particularly beneficial for patients with more complex astigmatic prescriptions, who have previously had limited options for reusable toric lenses. 

In addition to toric lenses, Alcon’s TOTAL30 product line has been expanded to include sphere and multifocal designs, which are now available with a full range of power parameters. This expansion reflects Alcon’s ongoing effort to meet the rising demand for high-performance, reusable lenses that provide both comfort and environmental benefits​.

Contact Lenses Market Segment Insights

Contact Lenses Type Insights

The market segments of contact lenses, based on type, includes corrective lens, therapeutic lenses, and cosmetic & lifestyle-oriented lens. The corrective lens segment dominated the market, accounting for 35% of market revenue (3.22 Billion). 

A corrective lens is preferably used to correct refractive errors and compensate for visual deficiencies such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism. However, cosmetic & lifestyle-oriented lens is the fastest-growing category due to the growing demand for an improved aesthetic appeal of eyes.

Contact Lenses Wear Type Insights

The contact lenses market segmentation, based on wear type, includes daily disposable lenses, disposable lenses (two weeks or sooner), frequent replacement lenses (monthly or quarterly), and conventional lenses. The conventional lenses category generated the most income (70.4%). A growing number of patients suffering from refractive errors and an increasing number of contact lens wearers are responsible for the increasing demand for conventional lenses. 

However, daily disposable lenses are the fastest-growing category due to the rising preference of the population toward daily disposable lenses as it reduces wearing complications.

Contact Lenses Material Insights

The market segmentation of contact lenses, based on material, includes silicone hydrogel soft contact lens, methacrylate hydrogel soft contact lens, gas-permeable contact lens, and others. The silicone hydrogel soft contact lens segment dominated the market. Silicone hydrogel lenses offer many benefits, including greater comfort and flexibility. However, the gas-permeable contact lens is the fastest-growing category due to the rise in the adoption of contact lenses for cosmetic and vision correction purposes.

Contact Lenses Design Insights

The contact lenses market segmentation, based on design, includes spherical lenses, toric lens, multifocal lens, and others. The spherical lens category generated the most income. This is due to technological developments and exact fittings of spherical lenses. However, the toric lens is the fastest-growing category due to the growing prevalence of astigmatism among the population.

Figure 1 Contact Lenses Market, by Design, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

News 

Researchers are making significant strides in the development of liquid crystal lenses aimed at improving vision for those suffering from presbyopia, particularly elderly individuals. A notable development comes from the University of Leeds, where researcher Devesh Mistry is developing the creation of these innovative lenses. 

The project explores the use of liquid crystal materials—commonly found in smartphone and TV screens—to design lenses that automatically adjust focus based on eye movement. This breakthrough could potentially revolutionize how presbyopia, a condition where the eye loses its ability to focus on nearby objects, is treated.

Unlike traditional corrective solutions, such as reading glasses or bifocals, these liquid crystal lenses would mimic the natural focusing process of a healthy eye. This adjustment is crucial as the eye lens becomes less elastic and flexible with age. The advantage of liquid crystal lenses is their ability to automatically focus at different distances, offering a more seamless visual experience for aging eyes.

If the ongoing research proves successful, these lenses could be implanted in a straightforward, minimally invasive surgical procedure using local anesthesia. Experts predict that, within the next decade, this technology may become available, providing a highly effective alternative for people over 45 who struggle with long-sightedness.

Contact Lenses Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North American contact lenses market will dominate, owing to the growing number of patient residents suffering from refractive errors and growing awareness regarding the various types of vision correction treatments in this region. Further, the German market of contact lenses held the largest market share, and the UK market of contact lenses was the fastest growing market in the North America region.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2 Contact Lenses Market Share By Region 2022 (USD Billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Europe contact lenses market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the growing old age population and increasing technological innovation. Further, the German market of contact lenses held the largest market share, and the UK market of contact lenses was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific contact lenses market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2032. This is due to a rise in visual inaccuracies and rising product innovations driving the market in this region. Moreover, China market of contact lenses held the largest market share, and the India market of contact lenses was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Contact Lenses Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the market of contact lenses grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the contact lens industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the contact lens industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. Major players in the contact lenses market, including Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, Alcon Vision LLC, The Cooper Companies Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Surgical Vision, Inc., and others, are attempting to expand market demand by investing in research and development operations.

Bausch + Lomb is an eye health products company based in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The firm was established in Rochester, New York, in 1853. The company develops, manufactures, and markets optical products and offers contact lenses, generic and prescription pharmaceuticals, intraocular lenses, and other eye surgery products for cataract and refractive surgery.

As of 2024, Bausch + Lomb continues to enhance its portfolio of custom contact lenses, focusing on innovation to address a variety of patient needs. The company’s Revive™ contact lenses, which were originally introduced in 2022, remain a pivotal offering. These soft contact lenses are specifically designed for individuals with high or unique prescriptions, offering a tailored fit to meet the diverse needs of patients who require advanced vision correction solutions. The Revive lenses are part of Bausch + Lomb's commitment to providing personalized, high-quality optical care for patients who may struggle with more traditional lens options.

Alongside the Revive lenses, Bausch + Lomb also promotes its Zenlens® scleral lenses, which are particularly effective for patients with irregular corneas or conditions such as keratoconus. The Zenlens® scleral lenses are designed with innovative technologies like SmartCurve™ and MicroVault™, ensuring precise fits and increased comfort. These lenses are ideal for individuals who need specialty lenses due to unique eye shapes, enhancing visual acuity and comfort for those with more complex eye health issues.

In 2024, Bausch + Lomb’s ongoing research and development efforts reflect a clear focus on advancing its custom and specialty lens offerings to cater to a broader range of vision correction needs. These products exemplify the company's dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions that combine comfort, precision, and optimal visual performance.

Mark'Ennovy Personalized Care SL distributes ophthalmic products. The Company provides contact lenses, eye drops, lens solutions, and other related goods. Mark'Ennovy Personalized Care serves customers in Spain. 

In 2024, Mark'Ennovy Personalized Care, SL continues to advance in the custom contact lens industry through its strengthened collaboration with Capricornia Contact Lens Pty Ltd. This partnership has enhanced Mark'Ennovy’s distribution capabilities and customer care services, with a particular focus on offering high-quality, customized lenses tailored to meet the unique vision requirements of individuals. 

The collaboration has enabled more efficient logistics and expanded their footprint in global markets, ensuring that patients with specialized prescriptions receive tailored solutions promptly.

Building on the momentum of their strategic partnership, Mark'Ennovy continues to innovate within the sector. This is reflected in their ongoing development of advanced custom lenses and their commitment to expanding their service offerings.

Key Companies in the market of Contact Lenses include

• Essilor International SA.


• Alcon Vision LLC


• Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.


• CooperVision, Inc.


• Hoya Corporation


• SynergEyes, Inc.


• X-Cel Specialty Contacts


• Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.


• Medennium


• Seed Co., Ltd.


• STAAR Surgical Company

Contact Lenses Industry Developments

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care continues to drive innovation in the contact lens sector, with significant advancements in 2024. At the #Academy24 conference in November, the company presented new data on its ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lenses, featuring a cutting-edge OptiBlue™ Light Filter that blocks 60% of blue-violet light. 

This addition enhances the lens’s ability to reduce digital eye strain, improving overall comfort for users exposed to screens for prolonged periods. 

Additionally, in 2023, the company introduced its ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day and ACUVUE OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL lenses, designed specifically to address the needs of people with presbyopia, offering clear vision at multiple distances and supporting better visual comfort throughout the day. 

Alcon has also been at the forefront of innovation, particularly with the launch of the MARLO App in 2024. This app facilitates improved communication between Eye Care Professionals (ECPs) and patients, offering features like lens reordering, exam reminders, and access to a vision screener. With the app currently available on iOS and plans for an Android release, it aims to streamline the eye care management process and foster better patient retention. 

In addition, Alcon's TOTAL30 Water Gradient contact lenses continue to set new standards for comfort and durability. These lenses incorporate CELLIGENT™ Technology, which resists bacteria and lipid deposits, ensuring long-lasting comfort for wearers.

STAAR Surgical is seeing continued success with its Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) technology in 2024. The company reported strong growth in the first quarter, fueled by increasing adoption of its lens implants for myopia correction. 

The Visian ICL remains a popular alternative to LASIK surgery due to its reversible nature and highly customizable fit. As more patients and doctors embrace this solution, STAAR Surgical has expanded its reach in both the U.S. and European markets, with increasing interest from individuals seeking long-term, effective solutions for vision correction without the limitations of traditional eyewear.

CooperVision remains a leader in the contact lens market by continuing to refine its technology and expand its portfolio. In 2024, the company has focused on enhancing its MyDay® daily disposable lenses, which feature bioinspired materials that adapt to the natural shape and moisture levels of the eye. 

Contact Lenses Market Segmentation

Contact Lenses Type Outlook

• Corrective Lens


• Therapeutic Lenses


• Cosmetic & Lifestyle Oriented Lens

Contact Lenses Wear Type Outlook

• Daily Disposable Lenses


• Disposable Lenses (Two Weeks or Sooner)


• Frequent Replacement Lenses (Monthly or Quarterly)


• Conventional Lenses

Contact Lenses Material Outlook

• Silicone Hydrogel Soft Contact Lens


• Methacrylate Hydrogel Soft Contact Lens


• Gas-Permeable Contact Lens


• Others

Contact Lenses Design Outlook

• Spherical Lens


• Toric Lens


• Multifocal Lens


• Others

Contact Lenses Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America