Ophthalmic Drugs Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Type (Anti-inflammatory, Anti-infective, Anti-glaucoma, Anti-allergy, Anti-VEGF agents), By Application (Retinal Disorders, Glaucoma, Dry Eye, Allergies, Infections), By End User (Hospitals, Ophthalmic Clinics, Retail Pharmacies), and Region Forecast 2019-2030

Ophthalmic Drugs Market size was valued at US$ 61.8 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow at a 8.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. Ophthalmic drugs are medications used to treat various eye conditions and diseases. The increasing prevalence of eye disorders such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy is expected to drive the growth of the market over the forecast period. In addition, the aging global population and rising awareness about eye health are anticipated to boost market growth significantly. Technological advancements in drug delivery systems, such as sustained-release formulations, ocular implants, and microspheres, are revolutionizing ophthalmic treatments by improving patient compliance and treatment efficacy.

For instance, in October 2021, Roche (Genentech) received FDA approval for Susvimo (ranibizumab injection), a refillable ocular implant for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Susvimo is designed to continuously deliver a customized formulation of ranibizumab over a period of months, reducing the frequency of eye injections from as often as monthly to twice per year. However, the market faces certain restraints, including the high cost of innovative ophthalmic drugs, which limits accessibility, and stringent regulatory requirements that prolong the time-to-market for new products.

Side effects associated with long-term use of certain ophthalmic medications and patent expirations of blockbuster drugs leading to generic competition also pose challenges to market growth. Despite these obstacles, the market presents numerous opportunities, particularly in emerging markets with large untapped patient populations. The development of personalized medicine in ophthalmology, increasing adoption of telemedicine and digital health solutions in eye care, and growing potential for gene therapies and stem cell treatments offer promising avenues for market expansion. Rising demand for combination therapies to enhance treatment efficacy also contributes to market opportunities. Current trends in the market include a shift towards minimally invasive drug delivery systems, increasing focus on the development of biologics for eye disorders, and growing popularity of preservative-free formulations. The rise of artificial intelligence in drug discovery and personalized treatment plans, along with increasing collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, are shaping the future of ophthalmic drug development.

Key Developments

• In March 2023, Novartis received FDA approval for Luxturna (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl), a gene therapy for the treatment of patients with confirmed biallelic RPE65 mutation-associated retinal dystrophy. Luxturna is the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a genetic disease and the first AAV vector gene therapy approved in the United States.