Market Scope: Ophthalmic Laser Market Expected to Total $376.4 Million in 2021

Global revenue for ophthalmic lasers—photocoagulation, photodisruption (YAG), and SLT—along with maintenance, accessories, and endoprobes, will total over $376.4 million in 2021 and grow at a compound annual rate of 2.4 percent from 2021 to 2026, according to Market Scope estimates.

Factors expected to drive growth include expanding access to advanced medical treatment in the developing world, rapid growth in the segment of the global population over age 60, and new technologies that increase the effectiveness and uses of ophthalmic lasers.

These trends will be offset by an increasingly competitive global market for ophthalmic lasers, resulting in lower average selling prices for basic models, and by treatment paradigms shifting away from laser photocoagulation for retinal disease.

Sales of new lasers account for most ophthalmic laser revenue, an estimated 52.4 percent of the total. There is a large installed base of ophthalmic lasers, and total maintenance revenue accounts for an estimated 23.1 percent of market revenue.

Another area of opportunity is the use of endoprobes in retinal and glaucoma surgery. These account for approximately 23.3 percent of total ophthalmic laser market revenue. We expect strong growth in laser treatments. While the volume of laser interventions for glaucoma is less than half the interventions for retina, we expect the strongest growth in glaucoma laser treatments compared with retina and secondary cataract treatments.

SLT procedures will drive a majority of growth across all regions. An increase in diagnosis rate and growth in the number of glaucoma specialists will also drive demand for global glaucoma laser procedures. In Market Scope’s Q4-2020 survey of US glaucoma specialists, 21 percent of respondents recommended SLT as a first-line therapy for 61 to 100 percent of patients. There is growing evidence that primary SLT is as effective as medication in controlling IOP for several years.

Recent studies, including the LiGHT study, discuss the benefits of using SLT treatment as a first-line therapy, such as long-term cost savings and patient compliance. We expect strong growth in SLT procedures globally. The impact of COVID-19 caused a decline in procedures in 2020, but we look for more than 4.9 million annual procedures by 2026.

Iridex’ MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy, which is performed using the Iridex Cyclo G6 Laser System and MicroPulse P3 Delivery Device, has been included in the European Glaucoma Society (EGS) Terminology and Guidelines for Glaucoma.

To provide further insight into growth in glaucoma laser treatment, Market Scope’s “2021 Ophthalmic Laser Market Report” includes new 5-year regional forecasts for glaucoma laser procedures by type and by region.

Market Scope has identified 21 manufacturers of ophthalmic lasers and accessories, but just eight manufacturers account for almost 77 percent of estimated revenue. Market leaders include Topcon, Ellex, Lumenis, Alcon, and Iridex.

Market Scope’s “2021 Ophthalmic Laser Market Report: A Global Analysis for 2019 to 2025 (Photocoagulation, Photodisruption, and SLT)” was published in May.