Global Anterior Uveitis Treatment Market Size

Anterior Uveitis Treatment Market Analysis

Over the next few years, the market for treatments for anterior uveitis is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted healthcare patterns, as missed visits have led to the potential for significant disease progression in some patients with noninfectious uveitis. Uveitis patients may be at higher risk than the general population of contracting COVID-19 or suffering a more severe course of the virus. As per the article published in March 2021 by the National Library of Medicine, there was an 86% reduction in outpatient treatment for uveitis in spring 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, thereby affecting the market significantly. However, with the increase in vaccination programs, the outpatient departments started operating at full capacity and are expected to grow during the study period. Furthermore, market growth is stabilizing in the current scenario following COVID-19 as global restrictions ease and disease screening services resume.

There has been an increasing prevalence of uveitis across the globe, leading to blindness. An article published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine in September 2021 indicated that non-infectious uveitis is a leading cause of vision loss around the world. The article indicated that the estimated prevalence of non-infectious uveitis in the United States is 121 per 100,000 people every year. Uveitis is a sight-threatening inflammatory disease affecting the uveal layer of the eye. Redness of the eyes, blurring of the vision, the small size of the pupil, and sensitivity to light can be possible symptoms of anterior uveitis, which, if not treated, can result in permanent blindness. As a result, there are ongoing developments in product applications and treatment modalities.

New treatment options for uveitis, such as corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs, are already gaining traction in the market. The growing number of product launches and rising research and development studies are expected to boost market growth. For instance, in May 2021, Oculis S.A. reported positive data from two clinical proof-of-concept Phase 2 trials with OCS-02, its novel, topical anti-TNF alpha antibody fragment candidate, in Dry Eye Disease (DED) and Acute Anterior Uveitis (AAU). With such good results from the studies, the approval process is likely to be easier, which will help the market.

Furthermore, in August 2021, Cipla received final approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for its abbreviated new drug application for difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05%. Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion 0.05% is the generic version of Novartis's Durezol and is used for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery as well as for the treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis. So, more product approvals meet the growing demand for treatments for anterior uveitis, which boosts the market.

In addition, other factors, such as the growing geriatric population, are also expected to be driving factors in the growth of the market. However, the high cost of medications and the side effects of corticosteroid treatment are expected to stymie market growth.