Corneal Transplant Market Research Report Information By Type (Penetrating Keratoplasty, Endothelial Keratoplasty, Descemet stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), Corneal Graft, Corneal Limbal Stem Cell Transplant, and Others), By Indications (Fungal Corneal Ulcer, Bullous Keratopathy, Keratoconus, Keratitis, Corneal Stromal Dystrophies, and Others), By End-User (Hospital, Eye Clinics, and Others) And By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, And Rest Of The World) –Market Forecast Till 2034

Corneal Transplant Market Overview

As per MRFR analysis, the Corneal Transplant Market Size was estimated at 0.49 (USD Billion) in 2024. The Corneal Transplant Market Industry is expected to grow from 0.54 (USD Billion) in 2025 to 1.41 (USD Billion) till 2034, at a CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 11.20% during the forecast period (2025 - 2034).The growing prevalence of ophthalmic diseases such as keratoconus, infectious keratitis, growing demand for minimally invasive surgical procedures among consumers and rise in awareness regarding corneal transplants that provide aesthetic benefits are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth. 

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

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is starting its first corneal collaboration with Specsavers, a leading national optician chain, in April 2024 to emphasize the need for more cornea donations. It uses one of the largest retail brands in the world and one of the UK’s most popular retail outlets, respectively, to help people understand that eye donation can give hundreds who are dying of a cornea transplant a ray of hope.

In January 2023, scientists from South Korea presented an innovative method of using tissue adhesive to correct damaged eyes. This substance is unique among these because it has good adhesion properties towards surrounding tissues and restores tissues within a relatively short period of three minutes after irradiation by visible light.

Also, in January 2023, at age twenty-five, a young woman had her first successful artificial cornea implanted at Union Hospital Wuhan, affiliated with Tongji Medical College Huazhong University of Science and Technology China.

September 2022: Celregen signed an exclusive license agreement with Cellusion Inc. for their regenerative therapy involving corneal endothelial cells in Greater China.

In another case reported in August 2022, Indian researchers from L.V.Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), IIT Hyderabad, and Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology have developed human corneal tissue derived three-dimensional printed cornea as per the article published in August 2018. The product which contains no chemicals but only natural components, is produced through assistance from voluntary groups as well as government funding.

July 2022: Carl Zeiss Meditec and Precise Bio join on development and commercialization projects concerning ophthalmology-related implants made up of tissues

For instance, CorNeat Vision announced in 2022 that its CorNeat KPro (artificial cornea) is undergoing clinical trials. Marketing approval should be obtained for this product by 2024.

Corneal Transplant Market Trends

• The rising prevalence of eye diseases is driving the market growth

Market CAGR for corneal transplants is driven by the rising prevalence of eye diseases. People with major eye diseases are increasing globally, and vision loss is becoming a prominent public health concern. The augmentation in the aging population and the growing prevalence of chronic disorders, including diabetes and hypertension, have increased the majority of eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and visual hypertension (glaucoma). The number of blind people or those impacted by low vision is also anticipated to increase substantially. As per the Royal National Institute of Blind People, in 2013, around 2 million individuals in the UK were living with eyesight loss, and this figure is predicted to grow to 4.1 million by 2050. Currently, there are 146 million individuals all over the globe with trachoma, of which 10 million sorrow from trichiasis and requirement surgery to prevent corneal blindness, and 4.9 million people are completely blind from trachomatous corneal scarring.

Additionally, there is an upsurge in the incidence of corneal eye illness, a rise in the number of corneal transplants across the globe, and an increase in customer desire for minimally invasive surgical therapies. As per the National Center for Biotechnology Information report, roughly 10-15% of the patients diagnosed with keratoconus are recommended to undergo corneal transplantation, and corneal blindness is one of the major conditions affecting a big number of individuals across the globe, which drives revenue growth of the corneal transplant market.

The surge in the prevalence of corneal disorders is the main driver for the corneal implant market. The need for corneal transplantation is caused by conditions such as keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, keratitis, corneal scarring, corneal ulcers, and corneal edema. For instance, according to the Corneal Research Foundation of America, around 50 to 200 of every 100,000 individuals are tortured with keratoconus. Thus, the increase in the prevalence of corneal disorders drives the growth of the corneal implant industry. Moreover, the rise in corneal blindness in emerging economies and increased demand for corneal transplantation drive market growth. For instance, as per the National Library of Medicine, in India, approximately 6.8 million people have eyesight less than 6/60 in at slight one eye due to corneal diseases, and both eyes are involved in approximately one million individuals. Thus, the high incidence of corneal disorders drives the corneal transplant market revenue.

Corneal Transplant Market Segment Insights

Corneal Transplant Type Insights

The corneal transplant market segmentation, based on type, includes penetrating keratoplasty, endothelial keratoplasty, descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), corneal graft, corneal limbal stem cell transplant, and others. The penetrating keratoplasty segment dominated the market, accounting for 35% of market revenue (0.14 billion). Penetrating keratoplasty is the ordinary method for corneal transplant owing to its known safety and efficacy. However, endothelial keratoplasty is the fastest-growing category due to the availability of alternative forms demonstrating favorable results. Endothelial keratoplasty is the unique approach in corneal transplant, where only the impacted tissue is substituted rather than the whole thickness of the cornea.

Corneal Transplant Indications Insights

The corneal transplant market segmentation, based on indications, includes fungal corneal ulcer, bullous keratopathy, keratoconus, keratitis, corneal stromal dystrophies, and others. The fungal corneal ulcer category generated the most income (70.4%). This is due to the growing old population at a higher risk of developing fungal corneal ulcers. However, keratoconus is the fastest-growing category due to the advent of advanced corneal implant procedures, including Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty, and the availability of FDA-approved corneal implants.

Corneal Transplant End-User Insights

The corneal transplant market segmentation, based on end-user, includes hospitals, eye clinics, and others. The hospitals category generated the most income. This is majorly due to the existence of highly skilled surgeons, the growing number of patients, and the permit to international eye banks. However, others are the fastest-growing category due to a rise in outpatient surgeries for corneal transplantation as it offers cost-effective benefits.

Figure 1: Corneal Transplant Market by End-User, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion) 

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

Corneal Transplant Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North America corneal transplant market will dominate this market, owing to increasing awareness about eye donation in the region and several organizations in this region. Further, the US corneal transplant market held the largest market share, and the Canada corneal transplant market 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: CORNEAL TRANSPLANT MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion) 

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

Europe corneal transplant market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the availability of well-developed medical facilities and diverse treatment alternatives and key market participants in the region. Further, the German corneal transplant market held the largest market share, and the UK corneal transplant market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The Asia-Pacific corneal transplant market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to the increasing prevalence of ocular illnesses due to lifestyle changes. Diabetes, obesity, malnutrition, and other lifestyle-related illnesses are all associated with vision impairments. Moreover, China corneal transplant market held the largest market share, and the India corneal transplant market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Corneal Transplant Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the corneal transplant market 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 corneal transplant industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics manufacturers use in the corneal transplant industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. Major players in the corneal transplant market, including CryoLife, Inc., Exactech, Inc., Kohler GmbH, Lifeline Scientific, AbbVie Inc., Medtronic, Organogenesis Inc., and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

Alcon Inc is engaged in the development and manufacturing of devices in the field of ophthalmology. The company's portfolio encompasses contact lenses and surgical products, including implantables, consumables and surgical equipment. The company's products are indicated for treating various conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. It conducts clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its products for preventing and curing blindness and different eye diseases. Alcon's pipeline products are developed through collaboration with institutions, medical innovators, research advisors and academic thought leaders. In January 2022, Alcon, the leader in eye care dedicated to assisting people in seeing brilliantly, declared the closing of its formerly announced acquisition of Ivantis, creator of the novel Hydrus microstent, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) instrument created to lower eye pressure for open-angle glaucoma patients in association with cataract surgery.

CorneaGen Inc. manufactures medical equipment. The Company produces and markets cornea care products from new medical devices and biologics for treatments and interventions. CorneaGen serves the medical industry worldwide. In April 2019, CorneaGen announced the acquisition of KeraLink's domestic eye bank operations and related assets. KeraLink International is a leader in corneal transplantation services, supplies, and grafts for transplant.

Key Companies in the Corneal Transplant market include

• Florida Lions Eye Bank


• CorNeat Vision


• CorneaGen


• San Diego Eye Bank


• Alabama Eye Bank


• Aurolab


• Cornea Biosciences


• KERAMED INC.


• Price Vision Group


• 0 LinkoCare LifeSciences AB


• Presbia PLC


• AJL Ophthalmic SA


• DIOPTER


• Massachusetts Eye and Ear

Corneal Transplant Industry Developments

January 2022:Beijing Microkpro Medical Instrument Co. Ltd. has received marketing approval for its artificial cornea from China’s NMPA. Miok Keratoprosthesis is the world’s first artificial cornea made of 100% non-biological materials and does not require co-implantation of donor corneas, according to Microkpro Medical.

November 2021:Ziemer USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ziemer AG, declared a new partnership with CorneaGen. Via this joint dedication to creation in corneal care, Ziemer plans to bring unique procedures to the ophthalmic field and also its mutual mission to develop technology that allows solving ongoing clinical challenges.

January 2020:Mediphacos announced the release of Keraring's intrastromal corneal ring. Such product releases enabled the company to expand its customer base in the corneal implants market.

Corneal Transplant Market Segmentation

Corneal Transplant Type Outlook

• Penetrating Keratoplasty


• Endothelial Keratoplasty


• Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK)


• Corneal Graft


• Corneal Limbal Stem Cell Transplant


• Others

Corneal Transplant Indications Outlook

• Fungal Corneal Ulcer


• Bullous Keratopathy


• Keratoconus


• Keratitis


• Corneal Stromal Dystrophies


• Others

Corneal Transplant End-User Outlook

• Hospital


• Eye Clinics


• Others

Corneal Transplant 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
  
  
  
  

Attribute/Metric	Details
Market Size 2024	0.49 (USD Billion)
Market Size 2025	0.54 (USD Billion)
Market Size 2034	1.41 (USD Billion)
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)	11.20 % (2025 - 2034)
Report Coverage	Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
Base Year	2024
Market Forecast Period	2025 - 2034
Historical Data	2020 - 2024
Report Coverage	Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
Segments Covered	Type, Indications, End-User and Region
Geographies Covered	North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World
Countries Covered	The US, Canada, German, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil
Key Companies Profiled	CryoLife, Inc., Exactech, Inc., Kohler GmbH, Lifeline Scientific, AbbVie Inc., Medtronic, Organogenesis Inc., Alabama Eye Bank, Alcon, Florida Lions Eye Bank, Presbia PLC, San Diego Eye Bank, CorNeat Vision, and Aurolab, DIPROTEX, KERAMED, INC.
Key Market Opportunities	Increasing incidence of eye diseases worldwideThe rising elderly population in developed economies
Key Market Dynamics	Increasing technological advancements in corneal implantsRising need for minimally invasive surgical procedures