Global Cataracts Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

Global Cataracts Market Segmentation, By Type (Nuclear Cataract, Cortical Cataract, Posterior Subcapsular Cataract, Congenital Cataracts, and Others), Diagnosis (Visual Acuity Test, Slit-Lamp Examination, Retinal Exam, and Others), Treatment (Surgery), End-Users (Hospitals, Homecare, Specialty Clinics, and Others), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, and Retail Pharmacy) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2032

Cataracts Market Size

• The global cataracts market size was valued at USD 5.59 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 8.92 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period
• The increasing prevalence of cataracts among the elderly is a major driver, especially in countries with expanding geriatric demographics such as Japan, Germany, and the U.S.
• Furthermore, the innovations such as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) are transforming patient outcomes and driving demand

Cataracts Market Analysis

• Cataract surgeries are becoming increasingly essential in modern ophthalmic care due to their proven ability to restore vision, enhance quality of life, and reduce the risk of falls and related complications, especially in the elderly
• The surging demand for cataract treatment is driven by a combination of factors including the rising incidence of age-related eye disorders, technological advancements in intraocular lenses (IOLs), and improved access to surgical care across both developed and developing regions
• North America dominated the cataracts market with the largest revenue share of 39.15% in 2024, to the region’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, early adoption of cutting-edge cataract surgical technologies, and favorable reimbursement policies. The U.S., in particular, continues to witness high surgical volumes, fueled by increased awareness, a growing elderly population, and the availability of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs)
• Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region with a CAGR of 9.2% in the cataracts market during the forecast period due to increasing urbanization, rising healthcare expenditure, expanding access to ophthalmic care, and government-supported initiatives to eliminate preventable blindness
• The surgery segment dominated the cataracts market with a market share of 38.5% in 2024, owing to its status as the primary and most effective treatment option for cataracts

Report Scope and Cataracts Market Segmentation   

Cataracts Market Trends

“Enhanced Outcomes Through AI, Robotics, and Personalized Care”

• A growing trend in the global cataracts market is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into cataract diagnostics, surgical planning, and post-operative care. These technologies are enhancing precision, efficiency, and patient-specific outcomes

  • For instance, Alcon’s Vivity and PanOptix IOLs are part of a new wave of premium lenses that provide extended depth of focus, supported by AI-driven customization in lens selection based on patient lifestyle and vision requirements

• Robotic-assisted cataract surgeries, powered by platforms such as the Catalys Precision Laser System (Johnson & Johnson Vision) and LenSx (Alcon), are gaining traction in developed markets. These systems use real-time imaging and laser precision to improve surgical outcomes
• AI-powered diagnostic platforms, such as those offered by Topcon and Zeiss, can analyze retinal scans to detect early-stage cataracts and other ocular conditions, facilitating early diagnosis and intervention
• In addition, the trend toward outpatient and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), equipped with advanced imaging, femtosecond lasers, and AI integration, is revolutionizing how cataract surgeries are delivered—minimizing hospital stay times and reducing healthcare costs
• This move toward personalized cataract care, supported by real-time data, digital diagnostics, and robotic precision, is reshaping both patient expectations and ophthalmology standards globally

Cataracts Market Dynamics

Driver

“Rising Global Burden of Vision Impairment and Advancements in Cataract Surgery”

• The increasing global burden of vision impairment due to age-related cataracts is a major driver for the market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally, affecting over 65 million people
• With aging populations in regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, the demand for effective and rapid cataract treatment is rising. For instance, India's National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB) is scaling up free cataract surgeries to reduce avoidable blindness
• Key companies such as Alcon, Johnson & Johnson Vision, and Bausch + Lomb are launching next-gen IOLs that not only restore vision but also reduce dependence on glasses—driving the premium IOL segment forward
• The shift from traditional extracapsular surgery to phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) has enhanced surgical precision, minimized healing time, and reduced complications
• Moreover, the expansion of cataract surgery in emerging markets—via mobile eye units, public-private partnerships, and teleophthalmology—is unlocking major growth potential, particularly across Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa

Restraint/Challenge

“High Cost of Advanced Cataract Procedures and Limited Access in Rural Areas”

• While cataract surgery is widely recognized as cost-effective, the high upfront cost of premium IOLs and advanced surgical equipment poses a barrier to adoption, particularly in low- and middle-income countries
• Access remains a major challenge in rural and underserved regions, where the lack of trained ophthalmologists and infrastructure results in treatment backlogs. For instance, despite India performing over 6 million cataract surgeries annually, rural areas still face long waiting times and accessibility issues
• Advanced procedures such as FLACS and toric/multifocal IOL implants are often not covered under standard public insurance or government schemes, limiting their reach to high-income patients or private care settings
• Leading companies such as Zeiss and Rayner are focusing on scaling down premium lens prices and expanding surgical platforms into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities globally to address this imbalance
• Another challenge is the post-operative care and follow-up, which may not be accessible for elderly or low-income patients, impacting long-term outcomes despite successful surgeries

Cataracts Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of type, diagnosis, treatment, end user and distribution channel.

• By Type

On the basis of type, the cataracts market is segmented into nuclear cataract, cortical cataract, posterior subcapsular cataract, congenital cataracts, and others. The nuclear cataract segment dominated in 2024, accounting for 38.4% of the market, driven by its high prevalence in the aging population and the frequency of associated surgical interventions

The posterior subcapsular cataracts segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth rate of 21.7% from 2025 to 2032, owing to its rapid progression and increasing diagnosis among diabetic and steroid-using patients.

• By Diagnosis

On the basis of diagnosis, the cataracts market is segmented into visual acuity test, slit-lamp examination, retinal exam, and others. The slit-lamp examination held the largest market revenue share in 2024 driven by the due to its critical role in detecting and assessing cataracts in early and advanced stages.

The retinal exam segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2032, driven by supported by technological advancements in retinal imaging and its growing use in detecting coexisting ocular conditions that may influence surgical planning.

• By Treatment

On the basis of treatment, the cataracts market is segmented into surgery. The surgery segment held the largest market revenue share of 38.5% in 2024, as it remains the only effective and definitive treatment for cataracts. The widespread adoption of advanced surgical techniques such as phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted surgery continues to drive this segment's dominance and growth potential.

• By End-Users

On the basis of end-users, the cataracts market is segmented into hospitals, homecare, specialty clinics, and others. The hospitals segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024, driven by the availability of skilled ophthalmologists, advanced surgical infrastructure, and high patient inflow for cataract surgeries.

The specialty clinics segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2032, driven by their focus on outpatient cataract procedures, shorter waiting times, and personalized care.

• By Distribution Channel

On the basis of distribution channel, the cataracts market is segmented into hospital pharmacy, online pharmacy, and retail pharmacy. The hospital pharmacy segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2024, supported by direct procurement of post-surgical medications and follow-up treatments.

The hospital pharmacy segment is expected to witness the fastest CAGR from 2025 to 2032, driven by increasing digitalization in healthcare access and the growing demand for doorstep delivery of ophthalmic drugs.

Cataracts Market Regional Analysis

• North America dominated the cataracts market with the largest revenue share of 39.15% in 2024, driven by a high prevalence of age-related cataracts and widespread access to advanced surgical procedures such as phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery.
• Favorable reimbursement policies, growing awareness about ocular health, and the presence of key players offering innovative intraocular lenses (IOLs) continue to support strong market growth.
• In addition, the rising geriatric population and high healthcare expenditure in the region are accelerating the demand for timely diagnosis and surgical treatment of cataracts

U.S. Cataracts Market Insight

The U.S. cataracts market captured the largest revenue share of 80.5% in 2024 within North America, due to the increasing burden of cataract cases among the aging population and the rapid adoption of premium IOLs. Continued advancements in minimally invasive surgical technologies and strong presence of ophthalmic centers specializing in cataract care are major growth drivers. Moreover, the rising demand for outpatient cataract surgeries and growing acceptance of elective lens replacement procedures is further contributing to market expansion.

Europe Cataracts Market Insight

The Europe cataracts market is projected to expand at a substantial CAGR throughout the forecast period, supported by increasing demand for improved visual outcomes and growing government initiatives for cataract screening programs. Aging demographics, particularly in countries such as Germany, France, and Italy, and the availability of public health systems providing subsidized surgical treatment are enhancing market penetration. In addition, a shift towards premium lens implants is gaining momentum in private healthcare settings.

U.K. Cataracts Market Insight

The U.K. cataracts market is anticipated to grow at a noteworthy CAGR during the forecast period, driven by increased NHS funding for cataract surgeries and growing awareness of early diagnosis. The expansion of private ophthalmology clinics, adoption of laser-assisted cataract surgeries, and rising demand for monofocal and multifocal IOLs are also boosting growth. The market benefits from efforts to reduce surgical wait times through mobile surgical units and community-based diagnostic pathways.

Germany Cataracts Market Insight

The Germany cataracts market is expected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, fueled by a strong healthcare infrastructure and early adoption of advanced technologies in eye care. High awareness about cataract symptoms and the availability of skilled ophthalmic surgeons have increased the uptake of surgical treatments. Moreover, increased use of toric and presbyopia-correcting lenses is improving patient satisfaction and reinforcing market trends in both public and private settings.

Asia-Pacific Cataracts Market Insight

The Asia-Pacific cataracts market is poised to grow at the fastest CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period of 2025 to 2032, driven by rapid population aging, expanding healthcare access, and government initiatives for blindness prevention. Countries such as India and China are scaling up cataract surgery outreach programs and public-private partnerships to reduce cataract-related visual impairment. The increasing affordability of surgical consumables and IOLs is also improving surgical volume across rural and urban areas.

Japan Cataracts Market Insight

The Japan cataracts market is gaining momentum due to the country’s large elderly population and high incidence of cataract-induced vision loss. The market benefits from early diagnosis, well-established reimbursement systems, and technological innovation in ophthalmic surgery. Demand is also rising for customizable IOLs, especially among patients seeking refractive correction. Increasing patient preference for day-care surgeries and enhanced recovery protocols is further supporting market growth.

China Cataracts Market Insight

The China cataracts market accounted for the largest market revenue share in Asia-Pacific in 2024, supported by strong government programs such as the National Cataract Elimination Project. Rapid urbanization, a growing middle class, and expansion of private eye hospitals are driving surgical volumes. In addition, improved insurance coverage and domestic manufacturing of affordable IOLs and surgical devices are strengthening local market development. The push for vision health awareness and access in rural areas continues to shape future growth.

Cataracts Market Share

The cataracts industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• Alcon Management S. A. (Switzerland)
• AbbVie Inc. (U.S.)
• Bausch Health Companies Inc. (Canada)
• Merck & Co. Inc. (U.S.)
• Pfizer Inc. (U.S.)
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Israel)
• Amorphex Therapeutics Holdings Inc. (U.S.)
• Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan)
• Bayer AG (Germany)
• Novartis AG (Switzerland)
• AstraZeneca (U.K.)
• Amgen Inc. (U.S.)
• Carl Zeiss AG (Germany)
• HumanOptics Holding AG (Germany)
• STAAR SURGICAL (U.S.)

What are the Recent Developments in Global Cataracts Market?

• In February 2024, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, a prominent leader in eye health, introduced the TECNIS PureSee presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (IOL) across the EMEA region. Featuring a purely refractive design, the TECNIS PureSee IOL delivers seamless, high-quality vision with outstanding contrast sensitivity and low-light performance. It offers visual clarity comparable to monofocal lenses while addressing presbyopia, setting a new benchmark in advanced lens technology
• In September 2024, Alcon, a global leader in eye care committed to enhancing vision, unveiled new innovations at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) Annual Meeting in Barcelona. Among the highlights was the launch of the SMARTCataract DX digital planning solution—powered by the ARGOS Biometer and upcoming Alcon diagnostic tools—aimed at optimizing clinical workflows and improving procedural efficiency for ophthalmic practices
• In September 2024, Johnson & Johnson, a global leader in eye health, has announced the expanded U.S. rollout of its latest innovation in presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (PC-IOL), the TECNIS Odyssey. This next-generation full-range IOL provides patients with seamless, continuous vision across all distances—from far to near and everything in between significantly reducing dependence on glasses

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