Corneal Implants Market (By Type: Human Cornea, Synthetic; By Application: Keratoconus, Fuchs Dystrophy; By End-user: Hospital, ASC; By Surgery Method) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2022-2030

The global Corneal Implants market was surpassed at USD 392.96 million in 2021 and is expected to hit around USD 695.3 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.55% from 2022 to 2030

Report Highlights

• The synthetic type segment is expected to register the fastest growth rate of more than 7.07% during the forecast period.
• The human cornea type segment dominated the global industry in 2021 and accounted for the maximum share of more than 91.9% of the overall revenue. 
• The penetrating keratoplasty segment dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of more than 53.05% of the overall revenue
• The Fuchs dystrophy segment dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of more than 52.75% of the overall revenue. 
• The hospital segment dominated the industry in 2021. The segment accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 57.11% in 2021 and is expected to register a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period. 
• North America dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of around 59.08% of the overall revenue. 

The rising prevalence of corneal diseases, such as keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, and infectious keratitis, is the major factor driving the industry's growth. The gap between demand and supply is also expected to boost industry growth in the long run. Various programs spreading awareness about the importance of corneal donations are also likely to support the industry's growth. Moreover, many European countries are adopting an “opt-out” policy for organ donation to meet the growing demand for corneal grafts.

An increasing number of R&D activities related to corneal implants is expected to foster industry growth over the forecast period. Bioengineered cornea, 3D printed cornea, and stem cell therapy are a few of the topics gaining attention from the stakeholders. Moreover, a favorable reimbursement scenario and increasing focus of manufacturers to develop new products and the expected launch of new products in the next two years are expected to boost the growth of the market over the forecast period. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary lag in sales of corneal implants due to a fall in the number of procedures that were carried out as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of the virus.

However, with the world now returning to normalcy the market is expected to attain a pre-COVID growth rate over the forecast period. North America dominated the global industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of the overall revenue. The region is projected to expand further at a steady CAGR from 2022 to 2030 as the U.S is one of the major suppliers of corneal implants globally. On the other hand, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to register the fastest growth rate during the forecast period on account of the rising demand for corneal implants in countries, such as China, Indonesia, and Philippines.

Scope of The Report

Type Insights

On the basis of type, the global industry has been further categorized into human tissue and synthetic. The synthetic type segment is expected to register the fastest growth rate of more than 7.07% during the forecast period. These implants are called artificial corneas and can be further classified as semi-synthetic (collagen-based) and purely synthetic (Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) or titanium-based). Moreover, the lack of human corneas coupled with an increasing prevalence of visual impairment due to corneal opacification is expected to drive the segment growth during the forecast period.

The human cornea type segment dominated the global industry in 2021 and accounted for the maximum share of more than 91.9% of the overall revenue. The segment is estimated to expand further at a steady growth rate retaining its leading position in the global industry throughout the forecast period. Enhanced Visual Acuity (VA) outcomes and a high success rate of the human cornea, which is reported to be as high as 95% with minimal requirements of repeated follow-ups, are the factors contributing to the largest revenue share of this segment.

Surgery Method Insights

The penetrating keratoplasty segment dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of more than 53.05% of the overall revenue. The segment will expand further at a steady CAGR retaining its dominant position throughout the forecast years. On the other hand, the endothelial keratoplasty segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR from 2020 to 2030. Penetrating keratoplasty is the common procedure for corneal transplant owing to its known safety and efficacy. According to the Eye Bank Association of America, 46% of the cornea produced by the eye bank were used for penetrating keratoplasty.

In recent times, its adoption rate is slowly failing due to the availability of alternative methods showing promising results. However, its relative advantages over newer approaches, such as avoiding stromal interface and efficiency in treating large central perforations, are expected to uphold its market share. Endothelial keratoplasty is the newest approach in corneal transplant where only the affected tissue is replaced, rather than the full thickness of the cornea. This helps in faster and better visual restoration with decreased risk of infection and accidents to the eye surface. Moreover, with the growing prevalence of Fuchs Dystrophy, the segment is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period.

Application Insights

On the basis of applications, the global industry has been further categorized into keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, infectious keratitis, corneal ulcers, and others. The Fuchs dystrophy segment dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of more than 52.75% of the overall revenue. The segment is projected to expand further at the fastest growth rate maintaining its leading industry position throughout the forecast period. The rising geriatric population, which is at a higher risk of developing Fuchs dystrophy, is expected to drive the growth of this segment. Keratoconus also held a significant share of the overall revenue in 2021.

According to the Cancer Research Foundation of America, 1 in 5 keratoconus patients progress to a stage where a corneal implant is needed to restore normal vision. In addition, the advent of advanced corneal implant procedures, such as Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty (DALK), and the availability of FDA-approved corneal implants are expected to boost the growth of this segment during the forecast period. The application of corneal implants in post-surgical cataract edema, congenital corneal opacity, and mechanical or chemical damage to the cornea is included in the other segment.

End-user Insights

The hospital segment dominated the industry in 2021. The segment accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 57.11% in 2021 and is expected to register a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period. The presence of highly skilled surgeons, the rising number of patients, and access to transnational eye banks are the factors expected to drive the segment growth. The ambulatory surgical center (ASC) segment is anticipated to register the maximum CAGR over the forecast period. The growing popularity of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) is expected to help the segment gain significant growth over the forecast period. Corneal implant procedures are performed on an outpatient basis in most care settings.

Since it’s a single-day procedure its adoption is anticipated to increase in ASCs. These centers are supported by several public and private funding projects. Over the last decade, ASCs have become a safe and effective alternative to surgery owing to less waiting time, reduced costs, lower risk of infection, and higher nurse-to-patient ratio. According to the Ambulatory Surgical Centers Association, more than 5,800 ASCs performed an estimated 30 million procedures in 2020. Ophthalmic centers accounted for the second-largest market share in 2021 and are expected to register a healthy CAGR over the forecast period. An increasing number of ophthalmologists entering practice, growing acceptance of keratoprosthesis, and shorter wait times are the factors expected to fuel the segment growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the industry in 2021 and accounted for the largest share of around 59.08% of the overall revenue. Domicile of major market players, efficient reimbursement policies, and increasing R&D activities related to corneal implants are the factors expected to drive the region’s growth further. For instance, CorneaGen has collaborated with the Institute of Regenerative Medicine to develop corneas from the replication of stem cells. Europe held the second-largest industry share in 2021. Corneal implant procedures have improved markedly over the years in European countries, especially in the U.K., Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The region has faced a shortage of corneal tissue due to decreased number of corneal donations. Moreover, the procurement of cornea from other countries is expensive and should also match the home resources. Considering this situation, Opt-out system of organ donation has been adopted across countries in the region to promote corneal donation, thereby driving market growth. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecast period. The presence of a number of emerging markets and highly unmet clinical needs in countries, such as China, Indonesia, and Philippines, are expected to drive the region’s growth.

Key Players

• Florida Lions Eye Bank
• Alcon, Inc.
• Aurolab
• CorneaGen
• AJL Ophthalmic SA
• DIOPTEX
• Massachusetts Eye and Ear
• San Diego Eye Bank
• KeraMed, Inc.
• Alabama Eye Bank, Inc.
• Presbia Plc

Market Segmentation

• By Type Outlook
• Human Cornea
• Synthetic
• By Surgery Method Outlook
• Penetrating Keratoplasty
• Endothelial Keratoplasty
• By Application Outlook
• Keratoconus
• Fuchs Dystrophy
• Infectious Keratitis
• Corneal Ulcers
• Others
• By End-user Outlook
• Hospitals
• Ophthalmic Center
• Ambulatory Surgical Center
• By Regional Outlook
• North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Europe
• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Russia
• Switzerland
• The Netherlands
• Sweden
• Belgium
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Philippines
• Australia
• Sri Lanka
• Singapore
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Chile
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Kuwait
• Israel