United Kingdom Ophthalmology Devices Market Size

United Kingdom Ophthalmology Devices Market Analysis

The United Kingdom Ophthalmology Devices Market is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare systems and interrupted usual care in many healthcare facilities, exposing vulnerable patients to significant risks. The pandemic significantly impacted the ophthalmology devices market. For instance, according to a study published by the British and Irish Orthoptic Journal in March 2021, it was observed that during the first peak of the pandemic, outpatient clinic appointments were reduced by 87.2%, ophthalmic surgery by 90.9%, outpatient referrals to ophthalmology by 50.2%, and ward reviews by 50%. In addition, as per the same source, 1,377 canceled appointments were recorded, and 6.8% of those were deemed teleophthalmology-eligible. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic severely curtailed the ophthalmology service's clinical activity. In the post-pandemic period, routine ophthalmic procedures are being normally conducted. Hence the market studied is expected to have stable growth during the forecast period of the study.

Certain factors propelling the market growth are demographic shifts, the increasing prevalence of eye diseases, and technological advancements in ophthalmic devices. For instance, an article published by Eye Journal in October 2021 stated that when a prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on participants in homeless shelters in Cardiff, United Kingdom, the findings indicated a significant disparity in ocular health, visual acuity, and refractive error amongst the homeless in comparison with the general population. The burden of eye diseases among the target population is expected to raise the demand for early diagnosis, which is likely to increase the demand for ophthalmology devices, thereby boosting market growth.

Furthermore, according to the data from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) in October 2022, ophthalmology was the busiest outpatient specialty in the NHS of the United Kingdom, and almost 633,000 people were waiting for NHS ophthalmology appointments in May 2022. The source also stated that more than 2 million people are at risk of vision loss due to glaucoma. An estimated 1,390,000 people are living with ocular hypertension, and a further 708,000 are living with glaucoma in the United Kingdom in 2022. Hence, the high prevalence of eye disorders in the United Kingdom and its rising burden is expected to enhance the market growth.

Moreover, key developments by major market players are also boosting market growth. For instance, in November 2021, Grafton Optical, a United Kingdom-based company, launched two new ophthalmic devices FundusVue camera and the NFC-600 non-mydriatic retinal camera. The NFC-600 non-mydriatic retinal camera's key features include high-quality retinal images, portability, and connectivity. The FundusVue non-mydriatic fundus camera is designed to aid practitioners in diagnosing retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and glaucoma. Furthermore, in July 2021, Johnson & Johnson Vision introduced VERITAS Vision System, next-generation phacoemulsification (phaco) system designed to address three critical areas: patient safety, surgeon efficiency, and comfort in Europe, including the United Kingdom.

Hence, factors such as the rising prevalence of ophthalmic disorders and increasing key developments by major market players are boosting market growth. However, the risk associated with ophthalmic procedures is likely to restrain the market growth.