South Africa Ophthalmic Devices Market Size

South Africa Ophthalmic Devices Market Analysis

The South Africa Ophthalmic Devices Market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period (2022 - 2027).

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in considerable service reductions throughout the country, with ophthalmology being one of the most severely impacted specialties. For instance, according to an article published by Elsevier in Scientific African, in July 2021, titled 'Assessment of infection prevention and control measures adopted by eye care practitioners in Ghana and South Africa against COVID-19', it has been observed that 47% of practitioners had COVID-19 screening at their facilities before the commencement of eye examinations and 10% of practitioners had received any form of training (seminars and workshops) in COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures. In addition, as per the same source, there was a limited number of ophthalmologists (optometrists and ophthalmic nurses) for providing surgical and other essential eye services. Thus, the limited number of healthcare practitioners and restricted eye care services have impacted the demand for ophthalmic devices which has impacted the market growth.

Certain factors that are propelling the market growth are the rising burden of eye disorders and technological advancements.

The increasing prevalence of eye disorders and related diseases is the major key factor driving the market growth. For instance, according to a meta-analysis published by the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, in February 2022, titled 'Prevalence of the Burden of Diseases Causing Visual Impairment and Blindness in South Africa in the Period 2010-2020: A Systematic Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis', it has been observed that the prevalence for vision impairment was 2% for blindness and 12% for moderate and severe visual impairment (MSVI) and uncorrected refractive error (URE) (43%), cataract (28%), glaucoma (7%), and diabetic retinopathy (4%) were all substantial contributors to moderate and severe visual impairment. Additionally, as per a survey published by the BioMed Central of Ophthalmology, in January 2021, titled 'Prevalence and associated factors of vision loss in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1)', vision loss is a serious public health issue that is particularly prevalent in underdeveloped countries including South Africa. In addition, as per the same source, Southern sub-Saharan Africa comprising five countries (including South Africa) has a crude prevalence of vision loss of 2.11%, with cataracts (0.59%) and uncorrected refractive error (0.84%) being the main causes. Thus, the high burden of eye-related diseases is expected to increase the demand for effective treatment and surgery, which is further anticipated to propel the demand for ophthalmic devices, thereby contributing to market growth.

However, the risk associated with ophthalmic procedures is likely to restrain the market growth over the forecast period.