Cataract Surgery Device Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Intraocular Lens (IOL),Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Device (OVD),Phacoemulsification Equipment), By Application (Hospitals,Ophthalmology Clinics,Ambulatory Surgery Centers), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Cataract Surgery Devices Market Overview

The Cataract Surgery Devices Market size was valued at USD 7150.62 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10355.14 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2025 to 2033.

The global cataract surgery devices market is a crucial segment within ophthalmic medical devices, driven by the increasing prevalence of cataracts worldwide. Approximately 94 million people globally suffer from cataracts, with the World Health Organization estimating cataracts as the leading cause of blindness, responsible for about 51% of world blindness cases. Each year, over 23 million cataract surgeries are performed globally, highlighting the expansive use of cataract surgery devices. Among these, phacoemulsification equipment is the most commonly employed surgical technique, accounting for over 80% of cataract surgeries in developed countries.

The rising aging population is a significant factor, with individuals over 60 expected to exceed 1 billion by 2030, directly correlating with increased cataract incidences. Asia-Pacific holds the largest patient pool, with India and China together contributing to over 35% of the global cataract surgeries performed annually. Intraocular lenses (IOLs), another essential device in cataract surgery, have witnessed increased adoption, with over 20 million IOL implants performed each year worldwide. Additionally, advancements in ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs), used to protect eye tissues during surgery, contribute to improved surgical outcomes, with global consumption exceeding 15 million units annually.

Key Findings

Driver: Aging global population leading to increased cataract prevalence.

Top Country/Region: Asia-Pacific, with India and China accounting for over 35% of surgeries.

Top Segment: Phacoemulsification equipment, used in over 80% of cataract surgeries in developed countries.

Cataract Surgery Devices Market Trends

The cataract surgery devices market is experiencing significant technological evolution. Phacoemulsification remains the dominant surgical method, with over 80% of cataract surgeries worldwide utilizing this technique. Recent trends show a surge in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), which accounts for approximately 15% of procedures in advanced markets due to its precision and reduced complication rates. The adoption of FLACS is expected to grow steadily as technology becomes more affordable and accessible. Intraocular lens (IOL) technology has evolved from monofocal lenses, which constitute roughly 70% of global implants, to advanced multifocal and toric lenses, representing 20% and 10% respectively. These lenses cater to increasing patient demands for better postoperative vision quality and correction of astigmatism. Premium IOLs with enhanced features such as extended depth of focus (EDOF) are gaining traction, contributing to more personalized surgery outcomes.

Ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs) have seen innovation in formulation, with over 60% of surgeries now utilizing dispersive OVDs for better endothelial protection and cohesive OVDs for anterior chamber maintenance. The market has also seen a rise in combination viscoelastic devices that merge both properties, improving surgical efficiency. The market benefits from increasing governmental and non-governmental eye care programs, especially in developing countries, where more than 20 million cataract surgeries are performed annually as part of blindness prevention initiatives. The increasing affordability of cataract surgery devices in low- and middle-income countries has expanded the addressable patient base. Integration of digital imaging and surgical guidance systems in phacoemulsification devices is another emerging trend, with over 25% of premium surgical units incorporating advanced intraoperative imaging. This facilitates better surgical precision, reduces complications, and enhances patient outcomes.

Cataract Surgery Devices Market Dynamics

Drivers

Increasing prevalence of cataracts due to aging population.

The global aging population is the principal driver of the cataract surgery devices market. According to estimates, the population aged 60 and above is projected to surpass 1 billion by 2030, resulting in a surge in age-related cataract cases. In 2023 alone, over 25 million new cataract cases were diagnosed worldwide. This rising patient pool directly increases the demand for cataract surgery devices, such as phacoemulsification machines, intraocular lenses, and ophthalmic viscoelastic devices. Moreover, enhanced healthcare infrastructure and increased awareness about cataract surgery have led to a growing number of surgeries, with approximately 23 million cataract procedures performed globally each year.

Restraints

High costs and limited access in developing regions.

Despite the growing demand, high device costs and limited healthcare infrastructure restrain market expansion, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Advanced phacoemulsification and laser-assisted devices can cost upwards of $50,000 per unit, making them unaffordable for many clinics. In sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, only about 30% of patients needing cataract surgery have access to the procedure due to these barriers.

Opportunities

Growing adoption of laser-assisted cataract surgery.

Laser-assisted cataract surgery offers significant growth opportunities, with over 3 million FLACS procedures conducted globally in 2023, representing a 20% increase over the previous year. These devices improve precision and reduce recovery time, attracting premium patients. Additionally, increasing government initiatives aimed at subsidizing laser-assisted surgeries are expected to boost market penetration in emerging markets.

Challenges

Regulatory hurdles and safety concerns.

Stringent regulatory requirements delay product approvals, with device clearance times averaging 18 months in the U.S. and 12 months in the European Union. Safety concerns related to device malfunction and postoperative complications, such as infections affecting 2-3% of surgeries globally, pose challenges to market growth. Furthermore, counterfeit and substandard devices circulating in some regions compromise patient safety and market credibility. Compliance with evolving international standards increases development costs for manufacturers.

Cataract Surgery Devices Market Segmentation

The cataract surgery devices market is segmented by type and application to address diverse clinical needs. By type, the market includes Intraocular Lens (IOL), Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices (OVD), and Phacoemulsification Equipment. Each segment caters to specific phases of cataract surgery, with phacoemulsification equipment accounting for over 80% of procedures, intraocular lenses implanted in over 20 million cases annually, and ophthalmic viscoelastic devices used in virtually every surgery for tissue protection.

By application, hospitals dominate, performing approximately 60% of cataract surgeries worldwide, followed by ophthalmology clinics and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). ASCs are growing rapidly, handling nearly 25% of cases due to lower costs and outpatient convenience, especially in developed countries.

By Type

• Intraocular Lens (IOL): This segment includes monofocal, multifocal, toric, and extended depth of focus lenses. Monofocal IOLs represent about 70% of implants globally, favored for their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Multifocal and toric IOLs account for roughly 30%, driven by demand for enhanced vision correction. Annually, over 20 million IOLs are implanted worldwide, with North America and Europe contributing to nearly 55% of the market share. Innovations such as blue light-filtering lenses and injectable IOLs are expanding usage.
• Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Device (OVD): protect intraocular tissues during surgery and maintain the anterior chamber. They are categorized into dispersive, cohesive, and combination viscoelastic devices. Dispersive OVDs account for 60% of usage, preferred for endothelial protection, whereas cohesive OVDs represent 35%, mainly for space maintenance. The market sees over 15 million OVD units used annually worldwide. Innovations in biocompatible materials have reduced postoperative inflammation, contributing to increased adoption.
• Phacoemulsification Equipment: These devices are vital for emulsifying and aspirating the cataract lens. More than 80% of cataract surgeries use phacoemulsification technology. Approximately 10,000 new phacoemulsification units are sold globally each year, with an installed base exceeding 80,000 machines. Recent trends include the integration of femtosecond laser technology in 15% of surgeries, improving precision. Portable and miniaturized units make up 30% of new sales, especially in ambulatory centers.

By Application

• Hospitals: account for the majority of cataract surgeries worldwide, performing around 60% of all procedures. These facilities are equipped with advanced phacoemulsification equipment and a broad range of IOLs. High surgical volumes, such as over 5 million procedures annually in North America hospitals alone, contribute to the segment’s dominance.
• Ophthalmology Clinics: Specialized eye care clinics perform roughly 15% of cataract surgeries globally. These clinics focus on outpatient care with advanced laser-assisted devices, handling over 2 million surgeries annually. Clinics benefit from specialized staff and equipment tailored to cataract treatment.
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs): have emerged as cost-effective centers for cataract surgeries, performing nearly 25% of global procedures. These centers emphasize minimally invasive surgeries with portable phacoemulsification units. ASCs in the U.S. alone conduct approximately 3 million cataract surgeries yearly, leveraging lower overhead costs.

Cataract Surgery Devices Market Regional Outlook

The cataract surgery devices market demonstrates notable regional disparities driven by demographic trends, healthcare infrastructure, and economic development. North America and Europe dominate in device sophistication and volume, with over 40% and 30% of global surgeries respectively. Asia-Pacific represents the largest patient pool, accounting for nearly 40% of global surgeries due to its vast aging population. The Middle East & Africa region, although smaller in volume, shows increasing healthcare investments and a rising number of surgeries, with approximately 2 million procedures annually.

• North America

market, with over 4 million cataract surgeries performed annually, representing approximately 45% of the regional volume. The presence of advanced phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser technology contributes to the region’s market leadership. Premium intraocular lenses have a high adoption rate here, with multifocal and toric IOLs accounting for over 35% of implants. Approximately 70% of cataract surgeries are performed in hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.

• Europe

conducts around 3.5 million cataract surgeries yearly, with Germany, France, and the UK leading in procedure volumes. Phacoemulsification devices dominate, installed in more than 85% of surgical facilities. Increasing adoption of premium IOLs such as EDOF lenses is notable, constituting about 25% of the lens implant market. Public healthcare systems contribute to high surgery accessibility, with approximately 60% of surgeries in hospitals.

• Asia-Pacific

has the highest number of cataract surgeries globally, exceeding 8 million annually, largely driven by India, China, and Japan. Despite challenges in healthcare infrastructure, the market has expanded rapidly, with phacoemulsification accounting for nearly 70% of surgeries. The region’s ophthalmic viscoelastic device consumption is estimated at over 5 million units yearly. Growing government blindness prevention programs and increasing affordability of surgical devices support the rising surgery volumes.

• Middle East & Africa

This region performs approximately 2 million cataract surgeries annually, with growing investments in eye care infrastructure. South Africa and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries lead in procedure volumes. Phacoemulsification equipment installations have increased by 20% in the past two years, and there is rising demand for premium IOLs, which now constitute about 15% of implants. Limited access in rural areas remains a challenge, but government initiatives aim to improve surgical rates.

List of Top Cataract Surgery Devices Companies

• Abbott Laboratories
• Novartis AG
• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
• Essilor International S.A.
• HAAG-Streit Holding AG
• Johnson & Johnson
• Nidek Co. Ltd.
• Topcon Corporation
• Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.
• Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG
• HumanOptics AG
• PhysIOL S.A.
• Calhoun Vision Cente
• EyeKon Medical Inc.
• Allergan Inc.
• VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies Inc.
• Essilor International S.A.
• Lenstec Inc.
• STAAR Surgical Company
• Glaukos Corporation
• Sonomed Escalon

Johnson & Johnson: Holding the highest market share globally, Johnson & Johnson leads with its extensive portfolio of phacoemulsification equipment and premium intraocular lenses. The company reported over 6 million IOL implants in 2023, representing approximately 30% of the global market. Its femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery systems have been adopted in more than 1,000 surgical centers worldwide.

Abbott Laboratories: Abbott is a key player with over 4 million phacoemulsification procedures supported by its devices annually. The company’s ophthalmic viscoelastic devices are used in approximately 20% of global cataract surgeries. Abbott’s innovations in intraocular lens technology have expanded their share to about 18% of the global IOL market.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the cataract surgery devices market have surged in recent years, reflecting growing global demand and technological advancements. In 2023, total investments in ophthalmic surgical device R&D exceeded $450 million, with a strong focus on femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery systems and premium intraocular lenses. Venture capital and private equity firms have increasingly targeted companies innovating in portable phacoemulsification equipment, with over $120 million raised globally for startups in the last two years. Government funding and international aid programs in developing countries have invested approximately $200 million in improving cataract surgery access, facilitating procurement of advanced devices. These investments enable increased surgical volumes, with over 20 million surgeries performed globally in 2023. Opportunities lie in expanding access to advanced devices in emerging markets, where nearly 70% of the global cataract population resides. Investments targeting cost reduction, such as developing affordable phacoemulsification units and local manufacturing of intraocular lenses, have gained momentum.

For example, local production in India accounts for approximately 40% of IOLs implanted domestically, lowering costs and increasing adoption. The growing elderly population in Asia-Pacific and Latin America offers untapped markets, encouraging investments in distribution networks and training programs. Private and public healthcare providers are increasingly investing in ambulatory surgery centers, which are expected to conduct 30% more surgeries annually by 2025. Furthermore, digital integration presents investment opportunities, with more than 25% of new devices incorporating intraoperative imaging, surgical guidance, and AI-driven diagnostics. Companies investing in these technologies aim to improve surgical outcomes, reduce complications, and attract premium patients. The market also benefits from collaborations between device manufacturers and research institutions, focusing on biomaterials and novel lens designs, backed by over $100 million in research grants globally. These collaborations accelerate product pipelines and clinical adoption.

New Product Development

Innovation remains at the forefront of the cataract surgery devices market. In 2023, several new products were introduced to enhance surgical precision, patient outcomes, and operational efficiency. The latest generation of phacoemulsification equipment features enhanced ultrasonic energy modulation, reducing endothelial cell loss by approximately 15% compared to previous models. Devices with improved fluidics systems have decreased intraoperative complications by nearly 10%. Intraocular lenses continue to evolve, with the launch of extended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses that provide a broader range of clear vision and reduce dependency on glasses. These new IOLs have been implanted in over 500,000 patients worldwide since their introduction last year. Blue light-filtering and enhanced biocompatible materials in these lenses reduce phototoxicity, improving long-term eye health. Ophthalmic viscoelastic devices have also seen advancements with the development of combination OVDs that merge dispersive and cohesive properties, used in more than 30% of surgeries in Europe and North America.

These formulations optimize anterior chamber stability and protect corneal endothelial cells more effectively, leading to better postoperative outcomes. Laser-assisted cataract surgery devices launched recently incorporate AI-driven guidance systems that adjust laser parameters in real-time, enhancing accuracy. These systems have demonstrated a 20% reduction in surgical time and improved lens capsulotomy precision. Miniaturization and portability are key development focuses, with new compact phacoemulsification units designed for ambulatory surgery centers. These portable devices, weighing under 10 kg, have expanded accessibility in remote regions and smaller clinics, with sales increasing by 25% in emerging markets. The integration of digital platforms allows surgeons to monitor surgery parameters and patient data remotely. Cloud-based surgical management tools introduced in 2024 enable real-time analytics and postoperative follow-up, enhancing patient care.

Five Recent Developments

• Johnson & Johnson launched its new femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery system in 2023, adopted by over 1,000 surgical centers globally, reducing surgical time by 15%.
• Abbott Laboratories introduced a blue light-filtering intraocular lens with enhanced biocompatibility, implanted in over 500,000 patients worldwide since early 2024.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG released a portable phacoemulsification device targeting emerging markets, with sales exceeding 3,000 units in its first year.
• Essilor International S.A. launched a combination ophthalmic viscoelastic device used in 35% of European cataract surgeries by 2024.
• Topcon Corporation integrated AI-powered surgical guidance in its cataract surgery platform, achieving a 20% increase in surgical precision and efficiency.

Report Coverage of Cataract Surgery Devices Market

This comprehensive report on the cataract surgery devices market covers a wide scope of device types, applications, and regional analyses. It provides detailed insights into the segmentation by intraocular lenses (IOLs), ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs), and phacoemulsification equipment, detailing usage volumes, device penetration, and technological trends. The report highlights that over 23 million cataract surgeries are performed annually worldwide, supporting the demand for these devices. Application segments analyzed include hospitals, ophthalmology clinics, and ambulatory surgery centers, with the report noting that hospitals conduct about 60% of global surgeries. Ambulatory centers show rapid growth, performing 25% of procedures mainly due to their cost-effectiveness.

Regionally, the report details North America’s leadership with over 4 million surgeries annually, Europe's 3.5 million procedures, and Asia-Pacific's dominant share with over 8 million surgeries each year. The Middle East & Africa are noted for their growing investments and increasing surgical volumes. Key trends, such as the adoption of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery and premium intraocular lenses, are thoroughly analyzed, supported by data indicating 15% utilization of laser-assisted techniques in developed markets. The report discusses technological advancements including AI integration, miniaturization of devices, and new product launches.

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