Ophthalmic drug delivery systems are specialized dosage forms that are administered inside (intraocular), instilled onto the external surface of the eye (topical), administered adjacent to the eye (periocular), or used in association with an ophthalmic device. The need for ocular drug administration is primarily associated with the need to treat ophthalmic diseases. The eye is the most easily accessible site for topical medication administration. Ophthalmic drug delivery forms have been one of the most important and widely developed areas of pharmaceutical technology for a longer period. Ophthalmic drug delivery is one of the most desirable routes of drug administration because of the accurate dosing, ease of preparation and application, and high patient convenience and compliance. Gels, intravitreal injections, gel-forming solutions, implants, and ocular inserts are the most recent dosage forms for ophthalmic drug administration.

Market Growth Drivers

• Rising burden of eye disorders worldwide
• Rising number of ophthalmic procedures
• Technological advancements in ophthalmic drug delivery

Market Restraints

• Lack of trained ophthalmologists in emerging economies
• High cost of devices

Market Opportunities

• Growing demand from nanotechnology to get improved results
• Heavy investments in R&D activities

Report Coverage: 

Market Dynamics

The global ophthalmic drug delivery systems market is primarily driven by an increase in the number of eye disorders, as well as an increase in the population affected by them. Globally, at least 2.2 billion people have a near or distant vision impairment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Blindness and Vision Impairment report (WHO) suggests that vision impairment may have been avoided or managed in at least 1 billion of these cases. The primary causes of vision impairment are age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, corneal opacity, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, uncorrected refractive errors, and trachoma among others. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the number of diabetic retinopathy (DR) patients will reach around 190 million by 2030. Thus, there are a slew of reasons for the prevalence of eye disorders throughout the world, resulting in escalated demand for the industry.

However, the market growth is confined due to the high cost of devices and the lack of trained ophthalmologists, especially in developing nations. Conversely, the market is also expected to witness numerous growth opportunities in the coming years. This could be attributed to the integration of nanotechnologies in drug delivery systems. Engineered nanostructures and nanodevices control human biological systems on a single-cell and molecular level. Nanoparticles (NPs) ranging in size from 10nanometer to 1000nanometer improved the topical course of huge, poorly water-soluble molecules through the ocular system's barriers. In this regard, nanomedicine has numerous advantages over drug-only treatments.

Market Segmentation

The global ophthalmic drug delivery systems market is segmented based on technology, production technology, delivery route, material, and geography.

Market By Technology

• Eye Drops 
• Contact Lenses
• Punctal Plugs
• Episcleral Implants
• Others

Based on technologies, the eye drops segment is expected to achieve the leading market share in 2021. Eyedrops are the most common dosage form, accounting for 90% of all currently available ophthalmic formulations. Eye drops are the most commonly used method of administering medication to the eyes; they are simple to use and convenient for most patients. On the other hand, the micro-electromechanical sub-segment is likely to attain the fastest growth rate throughout the forecast period 2022 – 2030. Advantages such as targeted delivery to inner tissues, refillable to long-term use, and automated to address patient compliance are fueling the micro-electromechanical segment growth.

Market By Production Technology

• Electrospinning
• 3D Printing
• Extrusion
• Formulation
• Micro Patterning
• Compression Molding
• Others

In 2021, the formulation segment held a noteworthy amount of share in the production technology segment. The majority of drugs used in ocular therapy are administered via a topical formulation in the form of a solution or suspension. Because of rapid eye movements (blinking) and lacrimation, conventional formulations experience rapid clearance from the application site, resulting in low ocular availability. Meanwhile, the 3D printing segment is likely to attain a significant growth rate in the production technology.

Market By Delivery Route

• Intravitreal
• Intraocular
• Intracameral

The intraocular sub-segment captured the largest market share among delivery routes in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. Intraocular administration of antibiotics is widely accepted as a standard treatment for endophthalmitis. However, the short duration of action of intraocular antimicrobials is their primary limitation. In addition, the intraocular delivery route offers which include ease of eye drop formulation, sterilization, and less irritation which also boosts the segmental growth.

Market By Material

• Liposomes
• Collagen
• PLA-PEG
• PDO/PVA
• Hydrogels
• TMC
• Others

By material, the hydrogels sub-segment is expected to gain a significant market share in the coming years. The market for hydrogels is expanding because they can be used in conjunction with other technologies to improve ocular drug delivery. It improves the bioavailability of topically applied formulations by extending the residence period of an active ingredient, allowing it to diffuse more thoroughly across the layers of the eye. In terms of growth, the polycaprolactone segment is likely to attain the fastest growth rate in the coming years 2022 – 2030.

Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems Market Regional Overview

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Latin America

• Mexico
• Brazil
• Rest of Latin America

Asia-Pacific

• India
• Japan
• China
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Middle East & Africa

• South Africa
• GCC
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

The growing burden of eye disorders in North America boosts the regional market growth

Based on the regional segmentation, the North American region occupied the leading market share all through the forecast period. The high growth in the region is credited to the presence of skilled ophthalmologists, the increasing incidence of ophthalmic disorders, and numerous government initiatives undertaken by government organizations to prevent blindness in the region. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to attain the fastest CAGR throughout the forecast timeframe. The presence of a large patient pool, a growing elderly population, and a rising preference for a sedentary lifestyle are some of the factors that are likely to create numerous growth opportunities for the Asia-Pacific ophthalmic drug delivery systems market.

Competitive Landscape

Some of the top vendors offered in the professional report include Allergan plc, AptarGroup, Inc., Clearside Biomedical, Envisia Therapeutics, Ocular Therapeutix Inc., Oculis Pharma, pSivida, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.