United States Ophthalmic Devices Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

United States Ophthalmic Devices Market Trends and Insights

Aging Population & Cataract Prevalence Surge

The U.S. Census Bureau expects the 65-plus cohort to reach 73 million by 2030, up from 58 million in 2022.^{[1]National Eye Institute, “Diabetic Retinopathy Statistics,” nei.nih.gov} Cataract formation accelerates after age 60, and the National Eye Institute projects 50 million Americans could have cataracts by 2050. Medicare covers standard monofocal cataract extraction, ensuring broad access, while premium IOL penetration rose to 35% of procedures in 2024, according to JAMA Ophthalmology. Sun Belt states attract retiring patients and record-high volumes, prompting vendors to open regional service hubs to minimize downtime.

Rising Diabetes & Glaucoma Comorbidity Burden

The CDC counted 38.4 million Americans with diabetes in 2024, and roughly a quarter will develop diabetic retinopathy within 15 years of diagnosis.^{[2]American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Capital Expenditure Guide for Diagnostic Suites,” aao.org} Glaucoma Research Foundation data indicate 3.3 million Americans aged 40 and older have glaucoma, expected to reach 4.3 million by 2030. Diabetic patients face a 40% higher risk of open-angle glaucoma, prompting demand for integrated platforms that identify both conditions in one visit. Autonomous AI systems such as IDx-DR extend screening into primary-care offices, easing rural capacity gaps.

Shift of Cataract & MIGS Procedures to ASCs

Medicare’s 2025 Physician Fee Schedule raised ASC payments for cataract extraction by 2.8% versus a 1.9% hospital outpatient increase. Lower overhead spurs surgeons to migrate cases to ASCs, where overhead costs are 30-40% lower than in hospitals. ASCs now complete 68% of U.S. cataract surgeries, up from 62% in 2020. Bundling MIGS with cataract extraction elevates procedural efficiency, yet intense ASC price negotiations are compressing phacoemulsification and handpiece margins.

Surge in Premium IOL & Daily-Disposable Contact Lens Uptake

Toric, multifocal, and extended-depth-of-focus IOLs continue to outpace monofocal lens growth as patients value spectacle freedom. Alcon’s PanOptix Toric and Johnson & Johnson Vision’s TECNIS Synergy series exemplify the technology leap. A 2024 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery survey found that 42% of patients opted for premium lenses when benefits were clearly explained.^[3] Daily-disposable contact lenses, led by CooperVision’s MyDay brand, cater to infection-conscious presbyopes and fuel double-digit revenue expansion.

High Capital Cost of Femtosecond & OCT Platforms

Acquiring a femtosecond laser requires USD 500,000-750,000, with annual service fees of USD 50,000-100,000. Independent practices rarely reach the 300-case threshold needed to justify these expenses. Advanced multimodal OCT units cost more than USD 150,000, prompting rural clinics to defer upgrades. Leasing and click-fee programs shift risk to vendors, tightening their profit margins.

Reimbursement Uncertainty for Emerging MIGS & AI Diagnostics

Glaukos’ iDose TR lacks a dedicated CPT code, forcing providers to bill using unlisted codes and resulting in payment delays. While Medicare covers CPT 92229 for autonomous diabetic retinopathy screening, regional reimbursement variations often fail to offset software licensing costs. Mixed private-payer determinations further stall adoption.

Segment Analysis

By Device Type: Vision Care Dominates, Diagnostics Accelerate

Vision care devices accounted for 63.27% of revenue in 2025, underpinned by the vast base of spectacle and contact lens users. Diagnostic and monitoring equipment is on track for a 7.32% CAGR through 2031 as AI platforms migrate into primary care settings. Spectacle lenses, especially EssilorLuxottica’s Stellest for myopia control, continue to drive high unit demand. Daily-disposable contact lenses continue to outpace monthly formats, driven by convenience and perceived hygiene. Surgical devices remain vital for cataract, vitreoretinal, refractive, and glaucoma care. Premium IOLs bundled with advanced phacoemulsification consoles deepen vendor-ASC relationships, while MIGS and sustained-release glaucoma implants open new therapy classes.

A broad installed base of phaco consoles means replacement cycles create stable revenue, but the commoditization of consumables tightens margins. Diagnostic players are differentiating through cloud connectivity and AI-based analytics. The CIRRUS 6000 OCT illustrates this shift, automatically segmenting retinal layers to flag early change and reducing technician variability. Fundus cameras coupled with EyeArt AI extend reliable screening to retail and federally qualified clinics. Collectively, these trends reinforce growth in the United States ophthalmic devices market even as vision-care dominance persists.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Disease Indication: Cataract Still Leads but Diabetic-Retinopathy Solutions Outpace

Cataract remained the largest indication, generating 39.33% of 2025 revenue. Medicare reimbursement secures procedure volumes, and rising IOL adoption drives average selling prices higher. Diabetic retinopathy diagnostics, however, are the fastest-growing segment at a 6.69% CAGR to 2031, thanks to AI tools that allow non-specialists to screen in primary-care settings. Glaucoma solutions benefit from the aging demographics and the overlap with diabetes, reinforcing demand for perimeters, tonometers, and OCT-based progression monitoring.

Other conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and dry eye, add incremental growth. Home OCT technology shifts wet-AMD monitoring from clinic to home, reducing patient travel and improving adherence. Thermal pulsation devices for dry-eye treatment create cash-pay streams for specialty clinics even though upfront procedure costs exceed USD 1,000. Overall, diversified disease needs ensure resilient expansion of the United States ophthalmic devices market.

By End User: Hospitals Retain Influence While ASCs Speed Ahead

Hospitals accounted for 43.28% of 2025 sales but are ceding routine cases to ASCs, which are projected to grow at a strong 9.01% CAGR through 2031. Narrowing Medicare payment gaps makes ASC economics attractive, and lower overhead enables competitive private-payer contracts. High-volume metro markets such as Dallas, Phoenix, and Orlando illustrate this shift. Specialty ophthalmic clinics focus on premium services like LASIK and advanced IOL implantation and often rely on cash-pay models. Retail chains and federally qualified health centers leverage autonomous AI cameras to embed diabetic retinopathy screening into routine exams, widening access for underserved populations.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Sun Belt states drive cataract growth as retirees flock to warmer climates. Florida alone accounts for roughly 12% of national cataract procedures, and high ASC density in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando enables competitive bidding on capital equipment. Texas mirrors this pattern across Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin. California’s large diabetic cohort creates sustained demand for diagnostic imaging, particularly in federally qualified health centers serving low-income patients. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in these regions supports the expansion of AI-enabled fundus-camera fleets.

The Midwest and Appalachia face limited ophthalmologist availability, prompting primary care facilities to install AI fundus camera systems such as IDx-DR and EyeArt AI. Veterans Health Administration facilities in Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas use teleophthalmology programs that pair home OCT devices with centralized reading centers, reducing travel burdens for elderly veterans.

Urban hubs, including New York, Chicago, and Boston, are home to specialty refractive and premium-IOL centers that serve cash-pay segments. These clinics invest in high-specification femtosecond lasers and digital microscopes to differentiate patient experience. Tariff-driven supply-chain adjustments are influencing procurement across all regions, with distributors securing alternative sources in Mexico and Vietnam to maintain instrument availability and cost stability.