Cataract Devices Market

Cataract Devices Market Outlook (2025 to 2035)

The cataract devices market is valued at approximately USD 14.68 billion in 2025, is projected to reach USD 21.28 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% over the forecast period.

One of the foremost drivers impacting the growth of sales is the rise in demand for minimally invasive cataract surgery combined with ongoing developments in intraocular lens (IOL) technologies. During the last decade, visual impairment due to cataracts has increased immensely all over the world, particularly in areas that lack access to preventive eye treatment.

This trend has prompted national healthcare systems to prioritize cataract treatment, thereby increasing procedural volumes and propelling demand for advanced surgical technology. Additionally, the integration of femtosecond laser-assisted surgery and image-guided systems is revolutionizing operative accuracy and safety outcomes. These developments are not only reducing surgery time but also enhancing visual recovery rates, solidifying the position of high-end cataract equipment in the global industry.

The increasing adoption of ophthalmic treatment across middle-income countries is also powering sales. Governments, as well as not-for-profit entities, are launching huge initiatives to get rid of surgery backlogs on a public-private partnership basis, particularly in underserved and rural areas.

Device companies, therefore, are expanding their geographical reach through partnerships with in-country distributors that are supported by customized product sets that cater to regional regulatory environments and budgetary constraints. Another significant trend in the perspective is the innovation of premium intraocular lenses with multifocal and toric functions.

The premium intraocular lenses address a larger range of refractive errors to address the mounting demand for post-surgery spectacle independence. An increasing willingness by aging populations to pay for procedures that enhance the quality of life will continue to drive a positive pattern of revenue expansion among players within the premium range of cataract devices.

As access to healthcare and technological capabilities expand together, the cataract devices market is forecasted to experience incremental growth in all geographies. Top makers will prioritize product differentiation, ease of use for surgical systems, and strategic pricing schemes compatible with the varied needs of healthcare providers worldwide. Across North America and Asia Pacific, the cataract devices market is embarking on a decade of transformation powered by population changes and growing clinical uptake of sophisticated technologies.

Report Attributes	Details
Cataract Devices Market Size (2025E)	USD 14.68 Billion
Cataract Devices Market Size (2035F)	USD 21.28 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2025 to 2035)	3.8% CAGR
U.S. Industry Share (2025)	5.6 %
China Industry Share (2035)	6.1%
Key Companies Profiled	Johnson & Johnson; Carl Zeiss Meditec AG; Bausch & Lomb; Hoya Corporation; Staar Surgical; NIDEK CO., LTD; Aurolabs; Biotech Healthcare Group; Ophtec BV; VSY Biotechnology BV; Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG.

Shifts in the Market from 2020 to 2024 and Future Trends 2025 to 2035

From 2020 to 2024, the cataract devices market was severely impacted by procedural delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many elective surgeries were postponed, altering revenue patterns and shifting supply chain dynamics. Nevertheless, the period also witnessed the initiation of strategic investments in teleophthalmology and remote diagnostics to facilitate pre-surgical evaluation, a development that continues to improve in the current decade.

Between 2025 and 2035, the cataract devices market will shift towards even more sophisticated and AI-supported surgical procedures. Automated workflow integration, smart intraoperative visualization, and second-generation phacoemulsification technology are gaining popularity in every surgical center.

In addition, the development of outpatient centers is also creating a greater need for smaller, highly portable surgical equipment designed for use in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). These developments are also pushing manufacturers to design devices for sustainability and price points, particularly for use in high-volume cataract programs in developing nations.

A Comparative Market Shift Analysis (2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035)

2020 to 2024	2025 to 2035
COVID-19 postponements of elective procedures, impacting procedure volume and revenue.	Recovery and cataract procedure rebound with enhanced infrastructure and patient outreach.
Early adoption of teleophthalmology and remote diagnosis for pre-surgical evaluation.	AI-assisted procedures, automated processes, and intelligent visualization systems are used extensively.
Dependence on first-generation phacoemulsification technology and manual methods.	Second-generation phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser technology adoption.
More investment in telemedicine platforms; modest expansion in outpatient surgery centers.	Expansion of ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) requiring small, portable, and efficient cataract equipment.
Basic functionality and robustness; lower focus on portability and sustainability.	High focus on cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and portability in order to help support high-volume cataract programs, especially in developing regions.
Primarily focused in North America and Europe with moderate establishment in Asia-Pacific.	Outreach programs and economical equipment drive robust growth in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America.
Pandemic regulatory leniency permitted limited device innovation and accelerated clearance.	Stronger device safety, sustainability, and data openness regulations propel more evolved and eco-friendly cataract device manufacturing.
Healthcare facilities searching for affordable devices in uncertain demand.	Ambulatory surgical centers and high-volume surgery centers favor high-performance, lightweight, and multi-application equipment for efficient patient turnover.

Cataract Devices Market: Country-Wise CAGR Table (2025 to 2035)

Country	Projected CAGR (2025 to 2035)
U.S.	5.6%
UK	5.4%
France	5.5%
Germany	5.7%
Italy	5.4%
South Korea	5.8%
Japan	5.6%
China	6.1%
Australia	5.5%
New Zealand	5.3%

The U.S.

The U.S. cataract devices market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% during the period from 2025 to 2035. An aging population and high cataract prevalence are driving procedural volumes. There is increasing demand for sophisticated intraocular lenses (IOLs), femtosecond lasers, and phacoemulsification systems. The reimbursement policy under Medicare and the adoption of growing outpatient surgical centers are driving broader access and faster procedural turnover.

Major players in the cataract devices market, like Alcon Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision, and Bausch + Lomb, are adding multifocal and toric IOLs to their portfolios with the help of AI-enabled surgical planning software. Regulatory guidance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and increasing investment in ophthalmology research provide a healthy ecosystem for innovation and procedural efficiency .

UK

The UK cataract devices market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4%. National Health Service (NHS) modernization, rising public-private partnerships, and an increase in day-case cataract surgery are favorably driving the growth. Specialized diagnostic platforms and toric lens implants are being increasingly incorporated into surgical practices to improve clinical results.

Rayner Surgical Group and Carl Zeiss Meditec are major suppliers that provide IOLs, optical biometers, and surgical visualization systems. Post-Brexit regulatory equivalence under the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency provides consistency in device certification and industry access. Demand is also underpinned by national ambitions to minimize ophthalmology waiting times .

France

France is expected to have a CAGR of 5.5% in the cataract devices market. Favorable reimbursement policies within the national healthcare system and greater dependency on ambulatory care are motivating the implementation of minimally invasive cataract surgery procedures. Stringent clinical standards for outcomes in visual acuity are stimulating the use of premium IOLs.

Local companies like Horus Pharma and global suppliers like Alcon and BVI Medical are driving the modernization of surgical facilities through equipment improvements and lens technology. The French National Agency for the Safety of Health Products is responsible for regulatory control, allowing timely access to CE-marked innovations .

Germany

Germany's cataract devices market will grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2025 to 2035. It is one of Europe's major ophthalmology markets, which enjoys dense coverage of private clinics, high insurance coverage, and an aging population. There is a rising demand for digital visualization systems and femtosecond laser platforms, especially in city-surgeon centers.

Key players such as Carl Zeiss Meditec, Hoya Surgical Optics, and Bausch + Lomb are advancing surgical precision with improvements in intraoperative guidance and IOL delivery systems. German regulations based on the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) are encouraging high safety and quality standards for all cataract technologies .

Italy

Italy is projected to record a CAGR of 5.4%. The Italian cataract devices market is driven by steady growth in cataract surgery rates and is influenced by an increasingly aging population and national vision screening programs. Increasingly, public sector hospitals are taking up toric lenses and phacoemulsification systems to ensure that the demand for day-case procedures is fulfilled.

Firms like Alfa Intes and global brands are providing sophisticated IOLs and diagnostic units designed for public and private sector applications. Italian laws aligned with EU MDR facilitated ongoing device development and incorporation of intelligent surgical technologies .

South Korea

The South Korean cataract devices market will grow at a CAGR of 5.8%. Fast growth in medical tourism, low health-tech adoption, and investments by the government in cutting-edge surgical facilities are major drivers. Patients are growing more interested in premium lenses for refractive and presbyopia correction.

Producers such as Samsung Medison and Nidek Korea are emphasizing laser-assisted technology and miniaturized diagnostic platforms. Public health initiatives under the Ministry of Health and Welfare are increasing cataract screening and surgery outreach and enhancing access in urban and rural areas .

Japan

Japan is projected to advance at a CAGR of 5.6% between 2025 and 2035. Japan has a large geriatric population, and the nation is confronting a persistent escalation in cataract occurrence. Japan's ophthalmic surgical practices are characterized by technological accuracy and mini-incision methods. The demand for hydrophobic acrylic IOLs, laser guidance systems, and handheld biometry units remains high.

Leading suppliers like Nidek Co., HOYA Corporation, and Canon Medical Systems lead in innovation in imaging and lens delivery. A transparent and rigorous regulatory process that is governed by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) assures consistent quality and clinical efficacy .

China

China is expected to drive the cataract devices market growth at a CAGR of 6.1%. Rising healthcare spending, urbanization, and government initiatives to promote blindness prevention programs are stimulating procedural volume and device uptake. Public-private initiatives are enhancing cataract screening and treatment infrastructure in underserved areas.

Players like Suzhou Kangjie Medical, Carl Zeiss Meditec China, and Alcon are growing their presence through local production and training. Funding from the government as part of Healthy China 2030 puts the spotlight on early detection and access to surgery and caters to chronic demand for cataract equipment .

Australia

Australia's cataract devices market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.5%. The increased prevalence of cataracts among the aged population and a well-developed ophthalmic healthcare system are fueling the performance. Exuberant support for day surgery operations and rising adoption of IOLs with improved visual correction characteristics are influential trends.

Device Technologies, Zeiss Australia, and J&J Vision are growing distribution of femtosecond lasers, high-end lenses, and high-definition diagnostics. Regulatory environments under the Therapeutic Goods Administration facilitate evidence-based entry into the industry and compliance with international quality standards .

New Zealand

New Zealand is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.3%. Rising government expenditure on public healthcare and coordinated efforts between district health boards and private providers are increasing cataract surgery access. The increasing use of toric lenses, miniaturized phaco systems, and optical coherence tomography-based diagnostics defines the industry.

Regional distributors and suppliers are making next-generation cataract equipment deployment available in regional and city healthcare centers. Medsafe oversees and maintains consistency with international device safety standards and encourages innovation through more efficient regulatory pathways .

Segment-wise Analysis

By Application

By application type, the cataract devices market is majorly segmented into Nuclear Sclerotic and Posterior Sub-capsular cataract types, with Nuclear Sclerotic having the greater holding share of 28% by 2025 and Posterior Sub-capsular at 26%. These segments are growing because of the increasing incidence of age-related vision impairment and greater demand for advanced ophthalmic surgical solutions.

Nuclear sclerotic cataracts occur in the nuclear (central) zone of the lens and tend to progress slowly. They are indeed the most common type and are age-related. Their larger industry share can be justified by the aging population worldwide and the increasing number of cataract surgeries done every year.

According to the World Health Organization, cataracts are the leading cause of worldwide blindness. Nuclear cataracts form the most frequently diagnosed type of these. Devices like phacoemulsification systems, intraocular lenses (IOLs), and femtosecond lasers are being used extensively to treat nuclear cataracts.

Leading manufacturers include Alcon, Johnson & Johnson Vision, and Bausch + Lomb, with devices such as the Centurion Vision System and TECNIS Symfony IOLs, all specifically built for the handling of hard nucleus removal and ensuring clear vision post-operatively.

Posterior Sub-capsular accounts for 26% of the industry share, common among younger patients, people with diabetes, and patients on chronic corticosteroids. This type of cataract forms at the back of the lens and develops more quickly, often affecting reading vision and causing glare.

Such cataracts would require precision instruments and very high-resolution imaging devices for early diagnosis and treatment. Examples of instrumentation used in these cases are Zeiss surgical visualization systems and LenSx femtosecond laser (by Alcon) for their accuracy and minimal invasiveness.

As cataract detection and treatment technologies continue to advance, the cataract device market will indeed be driven by innovative change, early diagnosis, and demand for better postoperative outcomes for every type of cataract.

By End User

By end-user, the cataract devices market is subdivided into Hospitals and Ophthalmic Clinics. The domination of hospitals is estimated to contribute a 50% share of the overall industry, while ophthalmic clinics are expected to account for approximately 30.0%.

Hospitals possess the largest share in the cataract devices market as they can provide access to an entire array of diagnostic and surgical equipment, coupled with a highly skilled surgical team and the ability to handle greater volumes of cataract procedures.

On the one hand, they serve as the major facility for cataract surgeries at an advanced or complex level in most developed and emerging economies, especially in those where advanced technologies have to be used, such as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and phacoemulsification.

Major global names - like Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and AIIMS (India) - are using devices from major players like Alcon (Centurion Vision System), Johnson & Johnson Vision (TECNIS platform), and Carl Zeiss Meditec to provide high-standard-of-care integrated systems.

Ophthalmic clinics, with a share of about 30%, are specialized centers for outpatient cataract surgery. These clinics are urban-based and are primarily for fast and efficient cataract surgery. These clinics focus on minimally invasive techniques and speedy recovery and serve a majority of the elderly and working populations.

The introduction of stand-alone eye surgery centers and mobile eye clinics is also contributing to the growth of this segment, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions. Brands like NIDEK and Topcon provide compact and clinic-friendly diagnostic and surgical tools tailored for such setups.

Together, the hospitals and the ophthalmic clinics serve a vital role in increasing the accessibility of cataract treatment. It is compatible with the possibility of increasing global demand for surgical solutions as the population ages and the awareness of vision care heightens.

Competitive Outlook

The global cataract devices market has strong competition, where ophthalmic technology leaders concentrate on their precision surgical tools, intraocular lenses (IOLs), and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS).

Top companies such as Bausch & Lomb, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Hoya Corporation, Staar Surgical and Johnson & Johnson take over with advanced solutions for cataract treatment like premium multifocal and toric IOLs. Looking at the strong brand image created by these companies, they ensure their dominance by creating extensive distribution networks from hospitals to specialized eye clinics.

NIDEK CO., LTD. and Biotech Healthcare Group, besides VSY Biotechnology BV, have made inroads to becoming prominent with cost-efficient cataract surgery solutions designed for emerging industries. Their prime targets to penetrate sensitive regions with their products include cheap IOLs, phacoemulsification systems, and automated surgical devices. Besides affordability, these companies are intensifying R&D investments in the next-generation IOLs critical to enhancing post-surgical visual quality and reducing dependence on glasses.

Other regional players include Aurolabs, Ophtec BV, and Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG, which offer products customized for niche industries that serve specialized cataract surgery instruments and laser-assisted surgery products.

For instance, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG designs its products around femtosecond laser technology, and Ophtec BV has been able to create a niche within the segment of customized IOL solutions designed for complex cataract cases. The specialized innovations give these companies a way of differentiating themselves in a highly competitive industrial scenario.

The competitive landscape continues to be shaped by strategic acquisitions and alliances as large companies acquire specialized IOL makers and surgical equipment providers, triggering a strengthening of their product portfolios.

Besides, initiatives that leverage investment by companies like Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and Hoya Corporation in AI-assisted surgical planning tools and robotic-assisted cataract surgeries demonstrate a positive commitment to improving surgical precision and patient outcomes. Such minimal- and less-invasive cataract surgeries increase their traction next to digital imaging, real-time diagnostics, and AI-driven surgical guidance systems being integrated into product offerings.

Market Share Analysis by Company

Company Name	Market Share (%)
Johnson & Johnson	20-25%
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG	15-20%
Bausch & Lomb	12-17%
Hoya Corporation	10-14%
Staar Surgical	8-12%
Others (combined)	25-35%

Key Company Offerings and Activities

Company Name	Key Offerings and Activities
Johnson & Johnson	Industry-leading IOLs, FLACS, and AI-assisted surgical planning tools for precision cataract treatment.
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG	Advanced femtosecond laser systems and high-precision IOLs for premium cataract surgical solutions.
Baush & Lomb	High-performance phacoemulsification systems and multifocal IOLs for enhanced visual outcomes.
Hoya Corporation	Customizable IOL solutions with enhanced light filtration technology for improved post-surgery vision.
Staar Surgical	Specialized implantable IOLs and refractive lens solutions for cataract and vision correction procedures.

Key Company Insights

Johnson & Johnson (20-25%)

Dominant worldwide supplier of cataract devices, coupling AI-guided surgery planning with high-end multifocal and toric IOLs.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG (15-20%)

Pioneering femtosecond laser platforms, high-precision IOLs, and AI-guided real-time surgical navigation.

Baush & Lomb (12-17%)

Enhancing the share with phacoemulsification systems and next-generation IOLs for better postoperative vision.

Hoya Corporation (10-14%)

Investing in next-generation light-adaptive IOLs and AI-augmented surgical aid tools to improve cataract treatment outcomes.

Staar Surgical (8-12%)

Has expertise in implantable IOL technology for refractive as well as cataract surgeries, increasing its presence in developing industries.

Key Players

• Johnson & Johnson
• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
• Bausch & Lomb
• Hoya Corporation
• Staar Surgical
• NIDEK CO., LTD
• Aurolabs
• Biotech Healthcare Group
• Ophtec BV
• VSY Biotechnology BV
• Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG

Segmentation

By Product Type :

The segmentation is into Phacoemulsification Equipment, Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices (OVD), Femtosecond Lasers, and Intraocular Lens (IOLs). Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices (OVD) include Cohesive OVD and Dispersive OVD. Intraocular Lens (IOLs) are further classified into Standard Monofocal IOLs and Premium IOLs, which include Toric IOLs, Multifocal IOLs, and Accommodative IOLs.

By Application :

The segmentation is into Posterior Sub-capsular Cataracts, Cortical Cataracts, Nuclear Sclerotic Cataracts, Congenital Cataracts, Traumatic Cataracts, and Others.

By End User :

The segmentation is into Hospitals, Ophthalmic Clinics, and Ambulatory Surgery Centers.

By Region :

The segmentation is into North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Oceania, and the Middle East & Africa.