The Global Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market Size was valued at USD 494.1 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 842.7 Million by 2032 with a CAGR of 6.3% from 2024 to 2032.

Ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs), previously known as viscoelastics or viscoelastic substances, are specialized gel-like compounds characterized by their high viscoelasticity; they are essential in eye surgery, including cataract surgery. They are non-active, transparent gels that can be easily manipulated within the eye thus offering safer and better surgical results. OVDs are mainly employed in the formation and stabilization of the anterior chamber of the eye, where visibility and space for the surgeon are needed during the surgery. Thus, stabilizing this chamber, OVDs contribute to the proper positioning of intraocular structures and improve control over instruments and implants.

Another important function of OVDs is to shield sensitive structures of the eye, including the corneal endothelium, during the operation. They help to act as a barrier between the tissues and the surgical tools and therefore they help to prevent physical injury to the cornea and other delicate intraocular structures. They also act as shock absorbers to prevent direct contact between tissues, thus enhancing their functionality and structure. Apart from offering protection to the eye, OVDs are used to assist in the placing of intraocular lenses (IOLs) that are used during cataract surgery because they maintain the internal conditions of the eye. This stability enables accuracy in delicate procedures; this has greatly improved the patients’ status and high success rates in ophthalmologic surgeries.

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market Dynamics

The rise in the incidence of age related eye diseases like cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration is one of the primary growth engines of the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) market. The world’s population is aging, and the need for ophthalmic surgeries is increasing, especially for cataract operations, which require OVDs to keep space within the eye and shield sensitive tissues during surgery. The WHO projected that the population of people of 60 and above will increase and will reach 2 billion in the year 2050, making it important to address age-related eye treatment. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of diabetes, which is an important factor in the development of ocular complications, has increased the need for specialized eye surgeries, thus providing a good background for OVDs.

At the same time, the increase in the application of ophthalmic surgeries, including minimally invasive surgeries, is putting pressure on OVD innovations. With these techniques still developing further, there is growing need for specialized viscoelastic instruments that enhance accuracy and lessen adverse effects. Innovations in surgery have brought into the market cohesive and dispersive viscoelastics, which increase the market size. Also, increasing numbers of eye-specialized centers and increasing awareness of the population regarding eye diseases contribute to the early diagnosis and subsequent treatment, which creates a positive impact on the growth of the OVD market.

However, there are few issues that OVD market share is going to face in the coming future like the patients are not much aware of the advanced OVDs that can help in improving the surgical results. In many cases, patients rely on surgeons to make choices about what surgical instruments should be used, and surgeons may opt for traditional approaches if they are not aware of newer OVDs. The use of advanced OVDs is usually associated with certain training, and this can be an issue in certain areas because of the scarcity of funds and educational programs. Lack of training or any proof of the effectiveness of these new products may hinder the adoption of these products by surgeons resulting in constraining market growth in some regions.

As the healthcare infrastructure strengthens, growth opportunities can be observed in the emerging markets of Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The factors like government programs for enhancement of health care facilities, rising disposable income and growing incidence of diseases like diabetes are expected to drive the demand for eye surgeries. Increasing awareness of the advantages of new-generation OVDs and focusing on raising awareness of them in these areas can help eliminate barriers to adoption and stimulate the market’s further development.

Global Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market Segment Analysis

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market By Type

·       Dispersive

·       Cohesive

·       Viscoadaptive

In 2023, the cohesive OVDs segment with a strong synergistic effect dominated the market share in the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices market. Highly viscous and easy to remove cohesive OVDs are highly preferred due to their ability to maintain space in the anterior chamber during cataract surgery. It allows surgeons to control intraocular pressure and tissue dissection, which increases the safety and effectiveness of various difficult ophthalmic operations. This strong preference in cataract surgeries along with the availability of cohesive OVDs in the market made cohesive OVDs dominate the market during 2023.

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market By Source

·       Animal

·       Biological

·       Semi-synthetic

As per the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs) industry analysis, the biological source segment was worth the largest market size. Biological OVDs are used because they are made from biocompatible materials such as hyaluronic acid and do not cause reactions during and after surgery. This segment has positioned well in the market due to its performance in establishing and managing space in the anterior chamber together with shielding vital intraocular structures. Moreover, the biological segment is expected to experience increasing demand due to increasing demand for natural and safe surgical materials..

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market By Application

·       Cataract Surgery

·       Glaucoma Surgery

·       Corneal Grafting

·       Vitreoretinal Grafting

According to the ophthalmic viscosurgical devices market forecast, the cataract surgery segment is expected to dominate the OVDs market throughout the period of 2024 to 2032. Cataract surgery is now one of the most frequent ophthalmological operations globally, particularly due to the increasing elderly population and the consequent increase in the incidence of senile cataracts. These surgeries involve the use of OVDs in controlling the depth of the anterior chamber, protecting the corneal endothelium and placing IOLs safely. The rising usage of OVDs in cataract surgeries due to the improvement in surgical techniques and an upsurge in demand for minimally invasive and high-precision procedures are expected to further support this segment’s market leadership in the foreseeable future.

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market Regional Analysis

In 2023, North America held a substantial revenue share of the global ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVD) market, with projections indicating continued regional leadership through the forecast period. The region’s growth is driven by an expanding geriatric population, supportive government healthcare policies, and an increase in minimally invasive surgeries, particularly for age-related eye conditions like cataracts. The availability of advanced healthcare facilities and growing awareness about eye health also contribute to North America's robust demand for OVDs in ophthalmic surgeries.

Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit the fastest growth rate in the OVD market during the forecast period. This acceleration is fueled by a rising prevalence of eye disorders, particularly diabetic retinopathy and cataracts, coupled with improvements in healthcare infrastructure. An increasing number of ophthalmology centers and specialized eye care services across Asia-Pacific have led to higher surgical volumes, driving demand for OVDs. Furthermore, economic growth in the region is expanding the middle-class demographic, with more individuals opting for quality healthcare services, including eye surgeries, enhancing the market's potential in Asia-Pacific.

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market Leading Companies

The Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices market players profiled in the report are Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Bohus BioTech AB, BVI, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Nordic Pharma, Inc., Rayner Group, and Truviz Ophthalmic.

Ophthalmic Viscosurgical Devices Market Regions