Corneal Implants Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Corneal Implants Market is segmented By Type (Human Cornea, Synthetic, Inherited Arrhythmias), By Surgery Method (Penetrating Keratoplasty, Endothelial Keratoplasty), By Application (Fuchs Dystrophy, Keratoconus, Infectious Keratitis, Others), By End-User (Hospitals, Ophthalmic Center, Ambulatory Surgical Center), By Region (North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2030

Corneal Implants Market Overview

[180 pages] Report analyses the Global Corneal Implants Market shares, recent trends, and market player analysis. North America region is expected to dominate the corneal implants market for the forecast period. Global Corneal Implants Market is predicted to reach at a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period 2023-2030. The Competitive rivalry intensifies with CorneaGen Inc, Mediphacos and Cornea Biosciences.

A surgical procedure for the insertion of a ring of plastic into the middle layer of the cornea is corneal ring implantation. This helps to correct certain problems with corneal and enables to see clearly.

Corneal Implants Market Summary

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Corneal Implants Market Trends

The increasing prevalence rate of ophthalmic diseases and increasing demand for corneal implants for eye surgeries is expected to dominate its market.

The increasing prevalence rate of ophthalmic diseases is expected to drive the corneal implants market

According to the first released World Vision Report by the WHO, In more than a quarter of the world's population around 2.2 billion people have impairment of vision, out of which one billion cases could have been left unaddressed or prevented. A condition in which it is difficult to see nearby objects is Presbyopia,affects 1.8 billion people. This condition occurs with advancing age.

The common refractive error myopia affects 2.6 billion, with 312 million under the age of 19 years. Cataract (65.2 million), age-related macular degeneration (10.4 million), glaucoma (6.9 million), corneal opacities (4.2 million), diabetic retinopathy (3 million), trachoma (2 million), and other causes (37.1 million) are other common vision impairments listed in the report.

 An Ophthalmic Central term Keratoconus is used to describe the condition in which the cornea assumes a conical shape because of protrusion and thinning of the corneal stroma. Keratoconus is a non-infectious bilateral, non-inflammatory disorder in which cellular infiltrates and neovascularization does not occur. Corneal thinning is an important character of this ectatic disorder, resulting in distorted vision and gradual thinning of the cornea. It begins usually in late childhood to early adulthood and progresses till 35-40 years old. The reduction of vision can vary from mild to severe according to the changes that occur. In keratoconus, the cornea gradually becomes cone-shaped for unknown reasons. The corneal ring implantation may also be used to treat pellucid marginal degeneration. It is another condition of abnormal thinning of the cornea. Corneal ring implantation is also used to treat myopia, also known as near-sightedness.Light rays that enter the eye focus in front of the retina in myopia instead of on the retina. This can happen due to the abnormally-shaped cornea, or lens, the eyeball of the eye.

Increasing demand for corneal implants for eye surgeries is expected to dominate the market

Corneal ring implants offer an alternative to other procedures that can help correct myopia or near-sightedness, like radial keratotomy or LASIK surgery. In order to avoid wearing corrective lenses people often choose to undergo these procedures. Each of these procedures has its benefits and risks. An eye healthcare provider may guide why corneal ring implantation might make sense for one.

Both radial keratotomy and LASIK occasionally cause abnormal swelling of the cornea. This can cause new vision problems. The healthcare provider recommends corneal ring implantation to stabilize the cornea and correct some of the changes that have happened. The major treatment objectives for corneal implants are to normalize corneal surface topography, improve contact lens tolerability and restore visual acuity to delay or defer the need for a corneal transplant. A minimally invasive procedure implant placement is considered to be effective and safe. The procedure is claimed to be adjustable, reversible and both eyes can be treated simultaneously. Further, implants do not limit the performance of subsequent surgical approaches or interfere with a corneal transplant.With the benefits, they offer the demand for corneal implants for different purposes is assumed to increase its demand in the market.

The high cost of ophthalmology devices and surgical procedures is estimated to hamper the market

Worldwide,it is well known that medical costs are rising mainly due to the growing number of patients, the improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic options. Based on the most recent estimates, the average out-of-pocket cost of cataract surgery is $3,500 per eye. The cost estimate shows a standard cataract surgery procedure not covered by medicare or private insurance, both of which could significantly offset the out-of-pocket expense. However, depending on the exact type of treatment received, the location in which it is received and the provider performing the surgery, this per eye cost could increase substantially.

The cost of keratoconus treatment depends on tthe type of treatment required and the severity of the condition. Because there is no proper cure, management of the disease can extend for decades, adding to the cumulative cost of keratoconus. Fitting contact lenses for keratoconus is a more complex and customized process than fitting conventional contacts on a normal eye. Also, doctors specializing in keratoconus must invest in advanced instrumentation such as automated corneal topography machines to diagnose, monitor and manage the disease. The examination, measurements, fitting and materials for treating keratoconus with contact lenses often cost $2,000 to $4,000 per eye. However, this range can be more or less, depending on the severity of the disease and the type of contact lenses prescribed.

COVID-19 Impact on Corneal Implants Market

COVID-19 has affected the healthcare industry. To curb its growth, government-imposed lockdown. People are fearful they will experience negative health and occupational effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. This has seen to affect the corneal implants market as many have stopped manufacturing units.

Corneal Implants Market Segmentation Analysis

The Human Cornea segment dominated the corneal implants market

A transparent avascular tissue cornea acts as a structural barrier and protects the eye against infections. Along with the tear film, it provides a proper anterior refractive surface for the eye. The cornea contributes to two-third of the refractive power of the eye. Any cornea considered suitable for transplantation can be grafted into any recipient, regardless of recipient age, race, and blood type. In guidance from the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Eye banks help set procedures and policies that guide suitability determinations for cornea transplantation and proper storage and handling of transplant tissue. 

An eye bank is notified of the death of a potential donor who meets preliminary donation criteria. Retrieval of the cornea typically occurs within hours of death. If a donor cornea is unsuitable for transplant, eyes may be used for research and training when consent is given for that purpose. From the time of a donor's death, there is a 24-hour window of opportunity to procure a cornea and place it in storage media. Not like organ donation, in which procurement is limited by the immediate availability of a potential recipient and time, corneoscleral tissue can be stored and used up to 14 days after procurement before it expires. The success rate of corneal transplants nearly 95% . The reason for the amazing statistic is that human corneal tissue is one of the few issues which can be transplanted with little risk of rejection. Enhanced visual acuity and clarity with the human cornea are estimated to have dominated the market.

The penetrating Keratoplasty method is assumed to dominate the market

Penetrating keratoplasty is an outpatient procedure. Before the penetrating keratoplasty procedure begins, general or local anesthesia is administered.The eye surgeon then uses a circular cutting device trephine to cut the cornea of the donor to the exact size and shape that is needed. A matching portion of the patient’s cornea is removed using a second trephine, at the point where the donor tissue is positioned and sewn into place. The physician applies antibiotic eye drops and covers the eye with a protective shield. The corneal transplant may be performed technically perfectly and the transplant may be working as well as it can be.

 The new cornea may have significant glasses and astigmatism. Other diseases of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma and macular degeneration may also limit the patient’s quality of vision and prevent the patient from seeing 20/20. In these cases, a smaller graft is used as long as it allows the visual axis to be clear. A corneal button of 0.25-0.50mm is used larger than the diameter of the host corneal opening is recommended as it can reduce the risk of secondary glaucoma, help reduce excessive postoperative corneal flattening and enhance wound closure. In cases of keratoconus, in anticipation of potential future graft steepening some surgeons opt to use the same size corneal button as the host corneal trephination. Penetrating keratoplasty may be combined with secondary intraocular lens implantation, glaucoma surgery, cataract surgery and retinal surgery. In cases of combined retinal surgery, a temporary keratoprosthesis is sutured in place first to allow the retina surgeon to visualize the posterior segment. Owing to its known safety and efficacy penetrating keratoplasty is the common procedure for a corneal transplant.

Fuchs dystrophy dominated corneal implants market

Fuchs' dystrophy is a disease of the cornea in which gradually the cells in the corneal layer called the endothelium die off. To keep it clear these cells pump fluid normally from the cornea. When they die fluid builds up, the cornea gets puffy and swollen. Vision becomes cloudy or hazy. For Fuchs' Dystrophy and other causes for failure of corneal endothelial, in modern corneal transplantation rather than replacing the whole cornea, simply the back layers that are unhealthy are replaced. These are the Descemet's membrane and endothelial cell layer.

Rejuvenation of the cornea could reduce the need for corneal transplants. A minimally new invasive procedure appears to be effective for many patients with Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (FED), a common eye disease, without the potential side effects and cost of the current standard of care, a cornea transplant. With DMEK visual recovery is much faster because the air bubble while it attaches holds the tissue in place is much less invasive than sutures. In some cases, patients may experience visual acuity as good as 20/20 just a few days after surgery with glasses. Most importantly, the rejection risk is 15 to 20 times lower with DMEK. Such low rejection is unprecedented and essentially eliminates one of the main reasons that transplants fail. In summary, research has shown that DMEK is now an excellent treatment option for patients with Fuchs’ dystrophy.

The hospital segment dominated the market

Hospitals with their large scale, strong financial capabilities, and comprehensive services will see an increase in this segment. Eyes are special, and only a well-trained eye surgeon or a specialist should perform all ophthalmic surgeries on them for safe and accurate outcomes in the first attempt itself. Hospitals provide the best surgeons, healthcare facilities, and advanced treatment options. Hospitals also have tied-up eye banks, which are useful during surgeries. Like any other eye surgery, there can be risks associated with cornea transplantation like infections, retinal swelling etc.

Besides, there is also the risk of the body rejecting the donor cornea in some of these cases. Most of the time, the risks associated with the cornea transplant are unique to each individual. The cornea specialist can explain in detail after assessing the eye and the cornea condition. An eye surgeon with special training in corneal transplantation and a license to human transplant tissues can perform corneal transplants. The choice of procedure is dependent on the doctors decision according to the patient’s corneal disease and. For example, suppose the cornea is scarred in all the layers. In that case, a full-thickness transplant called penetrating keratoplasty is done whereby all the layers of the patient’s cornea are replaced by the donor cornea and sutured in place.

In contrast, in other conditions like post-cataract surgery, corneal edema where only the back layer of the cornea is damaged. In this case, only the back layer is replaced with the donor’s corneal back layer in a procedure called DSEK/DMEK. Hence, this segment will dominate the market.

Global Corneal Implants Market Geographical Share

North America region is estimated to dominate the corneal implants market

Increasing R&D and the presence of major key players are expected to dominate the market in this region.

For example, CorneaGen has collaborated with the Institute of Regenerative Medicine to develop corneas from the replication of stem cells. The 2020 Eye Banking Statistical Report includes data from all 58 U.S. and 11 international member eye banks, plus one EBAA-accredited entity for 2020. It represents a complete picture of eye banking activity among eye banks. U.S. eye banks reported 108,382 total tissue recoveries from 54,740 donors in 2020. 60% of corneal donors were listed on a donor registry. Both tissue recoveries (-20.4%) and transplant numbers (-22.8%) decreased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationally advised moratorium on elective surgeries.

The reported prevalence and incidence rates tend to vary widely in the medical literature for keratoconus. One long-term study in the U.S indicated a prevalence of 54.5 diagnosed individuals per 100,000 individuals in the general population of approximately 1 in 2,000 individuals.

Corneal Implants Market Companies and Competitive Landscape

Major key players in the corneal implants market are AJL Ophthalmic, CorneaGen Inc., Addition Technology, Inc., LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, Presbia plc, Mediphacos, Aurolab, Cornea Biosciences, DIOPTEX GmbH, EyeYon Medical, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Florida Lions Eye Bank, SightLife, Advancing Sight Network, San Diego Eye Bank, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Tianjin JingMing New Tech. Devp. Co., Ltd, HANSON MEDITEC CO., LTD and Huaian Meide Medical Instrument Co., Ltd

CorneaGen Inc.

Overview: A mission-driven company CorneaGen is committed to transform how corneal surgeons care and treat for the cornea. The company is involved in innovation of the next generation care of cornea, from new medical devices and biologics to interventions and therapeutics. It supports corneal surgeons and their patients with a variety of services, including the latest innovative products, surgeon education, delivery of the highest quality tissue and advocacy for patient access and reimbursement policies

Product Portfolio: CorneaGen offerings include tissue storage media with antifungal Ampho B, the Geuder Preloaded Glass Cannula for DMEK and Intacs® corneal implants for keratoconus. These products join the recently acquired AcuFocus KAMRA Inlay in CorneaGen’s growing line of innovative and affordable therapeutics for corneal surgeons.

Key Development: CorneaGen and a global leader in corneal transplantation services, KeraLink International grafts and supplies for transplant have signed a final agreement for CorneaGen to acquire KeraLink’s operations for domestic eye bank and related assets.

The corneal implants market report would provide an access to an approx. 68 market data tables, 61 figures and 180 pages.