Eye testing involves examination of eyes
for abnormalities or defects. It involves diagnosis of eye diseases. Eye
testing detects refractive errors which are corrected through the use
of spectacles and contact lenses. Medical professionals who are licensed
to detect and treat defects or problems related to eyes use various eye
testing equipment. Highly automated and sophisticated eye testing
equipment are used by optometrists for eye examination. The global eye
testing equipment market has witnessed significant growth in the past
few years due to increase in the geriatric population and rise in eye
diseases.
Studies show that 285 million people are
visually impaired across the world. Uncorrected refractive errors are
the major causes of visual impairment and vision loss in the long term.
Aging demographics and increase in incidence of chronic diseases such as
diabetes have led to rise in prevalence of eye diseases such as
diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and
glaucoma. According to the American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO),
around 20.5 million people are suffering from cataract in the U.S.
alone, along with an estimated 7.6 million suffering from diabetic
retinopathy. According to the American Optometric Association,
refractive errors such as myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism affected
an estimated 185 million people in North America in 2015. Rise in
prevalence of eye diseases and refractive errors across the world has
led to an increase in the need of eye examinations and eye care. This is
fueling the growth of the global eye testing equipment market.
Globally, 80% of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured. Hence,
rise in prevalence of chronic diseases, aging demographics, and rapid
increase in prevalence of refractive errors present significant
opportunities in the global eye testing equipment market.
The global eye testing equipment market
can be segmented based on type, end-user, and region. In terms of type,
the global market can be classified into general eye testing products,
retina & glaucoma testing products, and cornea & cataract
examination products. The general eye testing products segment can be
categorized into autorefractors & keratometers, slit lamps, chart
projectors, tonometers, and lens meters. The retina & glaucoma
testing products segment can be divided into ophthalmoscopes, fundus
cameras, retinoscopes, perimeters/visual field analyzers, and OCT
scanners. The cornea & cataract examination products segment can be
classified into optical biometry systems, corneal topography systems,
wavefront aberrometers, and specular microscopes.
Based on end-user, the global eye testing
equipment market can be categorized into clinics, hospitals, and
others. Increase in the number of patients requiring comprehensive eye
examinations and medical care and rise in the incidence of eye diseases
across the world drive the clinics segment. According to the American
Optometric Association, optometrists accounted for 53% of primary eye
care services provided to patients in North America in 2013, while
ophthalmologists and opticians accounted for the remaining 47%.
Geographically, the global eye testing
equipment market can be segmented into five key regions: North America,
Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East & Africa. North
America dominated the global market in 2017, followed by Europe.
Advancement in technology and awareness about eye diseases are the key
factors boosting the growth of the eye testing equipment market in these
regions. North America accounted for the largest share of the global
eye testing equipment market in 2017. The market in the Middle East is
in the developing phase, which offers significant opportunities in the
near future due to rise in demand for eye care equipment. Increase in
incidence of eye diseases and refractive errors is a major factor
driving the global eye testing equipment market.
Key players operating in the global eye
testing equipment market include Topcon Corporation, Hoya Group,
Essilor, Carl Zeiss, and CooperVision.
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