Scleral Lens Market

Scleral Lens Market Size by Type (Mini-Scleral Lenses and Full-Scleral Lenses), Application (Refractive Error Correction, Corneal Disorders, Dry Eye Syndrome and Ocular Surface Disease and Others), End User (Hospitals & Eye Clinics, Retail & Optical Stores and Online Sales & E-Commerce Platforms), Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Retail & Optical Chains and E-Commerce & Online Platforms), Regions, Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2025 to 2034

Base Year: 2024 Historical Data: 2021-23
  • Report ID: TBI-14706
  • Published Date: Apr, 2025
  • Pages: 238
  • Category: Healthcare
  • Format: PDF
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Market Introduction

The global scleral lens market was valued at USD 340 million in 2024 and grew at a CAGR of 10% from 2025 to 2034. The market is expected to reach USD 881.87 million by 2034. The growing incidence of optical disorders/conditions will drive the growth of the global scleral lens market.

The specialized design of scleral lenses covers entire corneal surface and extends onto the scleral tissue (white eye surface) of patients. Scleral lenses rest over the cornea while forming a fluid chamber between the lens and the eye whereas standard contact lenses sit directly on the cornea only. Scleral lenses deliver outstanding vision quality through their smooth optical structure which ensures corneal hydration. Medical providers use scleral lenses to treat patients who have keratoconus because this condition produces a cone-shaped deformation that distorts their vision. Medical professionals employ scleral lenses to address corneal scarring along with post-surgical complications and they serve as effective treatment for serious dry eye syndrome. Professional eye care specialists measure patients’ eyes for a customized fit because scleral contact lenses need specific dimensions before being manufactured. The fitting of these devices becomes complex due to necessary evaluations regarding both corneal topography and patient eye health status.

Scleral Lens Market Size

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Recent Development

  • At Academy 2024, Alcon announced the release of Precision7, a one-week replacement contact lens with a revolutionary technology that offers both sphere and toric designs up to 16 hours of comfort and precise vision.  According to a news release from the firm, the Precision7's Activ-Flo System meets the needs of comfort and affordability "when a daily disposable lens is not an option."

Market Dynamics

Drivers

The increasing incidence of corneal disorders and other eye diseases/disorders - The increasing incidence of corneal disorders and dry eye syndrome continues driving scleral lens demand. The number of Keratoconus patients has increased recently because eye care specialists use better detection protocols and have enhanced their diagnosis skills. This corneal thinning disease causes vision disturbances. Corneal ectasia represents an important source of demand for specialized vision correction solutions because it develops as a LASIK surgery complication. Several conditions that cause corneal scarring or irregularity from infections or injuries or inflammatory conditions are increasing in frequency thereby driving the necessity for advanced contact lenses, specifically, scleral lenses. Millions of people face dry eye syndrome (DES) as an increasing number of individuals suffer from this condition because they spend more time on screens in addition to environmental pollution and the natural aging process. Digital screens elongated usage times cause users to blink less frequently leading to unstable tear films and persistent eye-related discomfort. The occurrence of DES cases increases because of environmental elements that include both urban pollution conditions and indoor air conditioning systems. Scleral lenses act as a better solution for severe dry eye patients because they prevent short-term relief systems like artificial tears while creating a fluid-filled area that rests over the cornea. The market demand for scleral lenses rises because these devices offer effective therapeutic vision correction for patients suffering from persistently increasing incidence of ocular conditions.

Restraints

High costs of scleral lens – The high prices for scleral lenses together with their fittings restrict broader use because they cost considerably more than standard lenses. The manufacturing process of scleral lenses proves complex and expensive because eye care professionals need advanced tools to map corneal structures and utilize high-permeability materials during the custom design process. The cost of a scleral lens pair falls between $500 and exceeds $2000 based on customization needs. Specialized caregivers need to conduct multiple consultations to determine correct fittings for patients which generates extra financial costs. The precise fitting process for scleral lenses relies on corneal topography mapping and individual trial tests that need several appointment visits until the right fit is obtained. The overall expense of scleral lenses becomes financially burdensome for patients since most insurance plans do not cover the entire bill thus making scleral lenses difficult to afford particularly in price-sensitive markets.

Opportunities

Advancements in technology – The adoption of scleral lenses has risen because lens manufacturers have developed better technology to produce customized products which increases both comfort and durability and overall performance. Better oxygen flow through high-oxygen-permeable polymers used in lens materials improves corneal health thus decreasing discomfort. Professional eye care providers now use 3D imaging and digital mapping systems to develop fit-for-purpose scleral lenses according to each patient's corneal shape and surface irregularities which results in precise vision correction. Optical performance has improved through the use of both wavefront-guided optics and toric designs. Clinically improved scleral lenses have become accessible to wider patient populations because of new coating advances which improve lens wettability and minimize deposits. Furthermore, the market continues to grow due to expansions within the optical healthcare section. Enhanced specialized optometry service investment along with increasing numbers of trained eye care health professionals has made scleral lens fittings and aftercare services more accessible to patients.

Segment Analysis

Regional segmentation analysis

The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. North America emerged as the most significant global scleral lens market, with a 38% market revenue share in 2024.

The existing eye care system across the United States and Canada employ novel technologies and devices required for fitting scleral lenses making it easier for patients to access them as a correctional solution. North America maintains its leadership position because these territories experience unusually high rates of eye disorders affecting the cornea and surrounding tissues. Medical conditions that affect the cornea primarily in the region include keratoconus together with severe cases of dry eye disease and postsurgical corneal complications resulting in elevated needs for specialty vision correction through scleral lenses. The region is home to numerous established and leading manufacturers alongside specialized optical healthcare providers. The strong insurance systems and higher financial resources allow greater accessibility for patients.

North America Region Scleral Lens Market Share in 2024 - 38%

 

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  • Researchers at the University of Waterloo have uncovered a novel finding that could make taking prescription medications easier than putting on contact lenses the next time you need to.  The group of researchers, which includes members from Waterloo's School of Optometry and Vision Science and Department of Chemistry, developed a novel hydrogel that, when 3D printed onto a contact lens, can provide medications to patients with a range of eye conditions.  The article, "Injectable and 3D Extrusion Printable Hydrophilic Silicone-Based Hydrogels for Controlled Ocular Delivery of Ophthalmic Drugs," was released in the journal Applied Bio Materials by ACS.

Type Segment Analysis

The type segment is divided into mini-scleral lenses and full-scleral lenses. The full-scleral lenses segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 65% in 2024. Full-scleral lenses control the global scleral lens market because they excel at treating serious corneal conditions and give improved vision quality to patients who need complex vision help. Full-scleral lenses provide better care than mini-scleral lenses because they spread across the entire corneal surface to rest on the sclera which creates one coherent reservoir of fluid protection. Full-scleral lenses provide exceptional benefits to patients suffering from keratoconus at advanced stages along with corneal ectasia and post-surgical patients and those with severe dry eye syndrome. Full-scleral lenses offer their users greater stability along with diminished lens movement and increased optical clarity because of their wide design making them suitable for patients suffering from irregular cornea surfaces. Full-scleral lenses have taken prominence in the market because they transmit oxygen more efficiently. The production of modern full-scleral lenses through high-Dk (oxygen permeability) materials decreases hypoxia risk alongside long-term comfort delivery. Prospective patients prefer full-scleral lenses over mini-scleral lenses for complex eye conditions because they retain moisture better and protect the eyes more effectively.

  • The only one-week replacement contact lens with a seven-day ACTIV-FLO System2 that offers 16 hours of comfort and clear vision, even on day seven, is Alcon's PRECISION7 range, which was introduced in the US. When daily disposables are not an option, PRECISION7 offers a comfort performance breakthrough and an easy-to-remember replacement schedule.

Application Segment Analysis

The application segment is divided into refractive error correction, corneal disorders, dry eye syndrome and ocular surface disease and others. The corneal disorders segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 35% in 2024. The scleral lens market receives significant growth from the corneal disorders segment because more people develop keratoconus and corneal scarring among other corneal irregularities which need specialized vision correction solutions. Standard contact lenses like soft and rigid gas-permeable types cannot deliver satisfied results regarding comfort and visual clarity to patients with irregular corneal surfaces. Medical studies demonstrate full-scleral lenses to be the top solution for treating corneal disorders. The acceptance of scleral lenses increases because patients with corneal disorders now seek early identification and advanced contact lens technology combined with greater understanding of their treatment needs.

End user Segment Analysis

The end user segment is divided into hospitals & eye clinics, retail & optical stores and online sales & e-commerce platforms. The hospitals & eye clinics segment dominated the market, with a market share of around 58% in 2024. The precise fitting method for scleral lenses through the use of corneal topography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) diagnostic assessments requires advanced analysis instruments. Eye clinics with hospitals remain the most suitable places to fit scleral lenses because they provide complete eye care including corneal assessment and tear film testing as well as ocular health checks. Patients prefer hospitals and eye clinics over retail and optical stores because knowledgeable scleral lens specialists are scarce in those venues. Specialized medical settings provide the main access to scleral lenses because their professional fitting and consultation process needs trained medical staff. Hospitals together with eye clinics continue to lead specialist eye care services because they deliver exact lens prescriptions and optimize patient outcomes and oversee ongoing eye health care.

  • In a news release, Visionary Optics announced the launch of Europa Tangent, a new scleral lens with a three-zone step-system for ideal fitting and customisable design. Europa Tangent, a novel scleral lens with a three-zone step-system, was introduced by Visionary Optics. The statement stated that clinical experience and data analysis from over 10,000 fittings served as the foundation for the lens design. It has a single landing zone curve that creates a softer, more seamless transition to the landing zone by following the scleral surface's natural contour.

Distribution channel Segment Analysis

The distribution channel segment is divided into direct sales, retail & optical chains and e-commerce & online platforms. The direct sales segment dominated the market, with a share of around 78% in 2024. Customers must seek scleral lenses through qualified professionals rather than retail or internet-based platforms since these medical devices need precise corneal examinations and individualized modifications and multiple fitting attempts to achieve proper vision correction and patient comfort. Most patients get their lenses exclusively through direct transactions with eye care professionals because eye care professionals control the distribution system. The requirement of specialized clinical expertise to prescribe scleral lenses becomes the main driving factor behind direct sales distribution. Scleral lenses become available to patients exclusively through hospital and specialty eye clinic points of entry because patients must undergo examinations and trial fittings before buying them from their medical providers at these locations. Patients who purchase through direct sales receive customized guidance together with essential post-sale care services that help them succeed with scleral lens wear.

Some of the Key Market Players

  • ABB Optical Group
  • AccuLens, Inc.
  • Art Optical Contact Lens, Inc.
  • Bausch Health Companies Inc.
  • BostonSight
  • Capricornia
  • CooperVision
  • EssilorLuxottica
  • Menicon Co., Ltd.
  • SynergEyes
  • Valley Contax
  • Visionary Optics

Report Description

Attribute Description
Market Size Revenue (USD Million)
Market size value in 2024 USD 340 Million
Market size value in 2034 USD 881.87 Million
CAGR (2025 to 2034) 10%
Historical data 2021-2023
Base Year 2024
Forecast 2025-2034
Region The regions analyzed for the market are Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, North America, and Middle East and Africa. Furthermore, the regions are further analyzed at the country level.
Segments Type, Application, End User and Distribution Channel

Frequesntly Asked Questions

As per The Brainy Insights, the size of the global scleral lens market was valued at USD 340 million in 2024 to USD 881.87 million by 2034.

Global scleral lens market is growing at a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period 2025-2034.

The market's growth will be influenced by the increasing incidence of corneal disorders and other eye diseases/disorders.

High costs of scleral lens could hamper the market growth.

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This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2021 to 2034. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global scleral lens market based on below mentioned segments:

Global Scleral Lens Market by Type:

  • Mini-Scleral Lenses
  • Full-Scleral Lenses

Global Scleral Lens Market by Application:

  • Refractive Error Correction
  • Corneal Disorders
  • Dry Eye Syndrome and Ocular Surface Disease
  • Others

Global Scleral Lens Market by End-User:

  • Hospitals & Eye Clinics
  • Retail & Optical Stores
  • Online Sales & E-Commerce Platforms

Global Scleral Lens Market by Distribution Channel:

  • Direct Sales
  • Retail & Optical Chains
  • E-Commerce & Online Platforms

Global Scleral Lens Market by Region:

  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • U.K.
    • Italy
    • Spain
  • Asia-Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
  • South America
    • Brazil
  • Middle East and Africa  
    • UAE
    • South Africa

Methodology

Research has its special purpose to undertake marketing efficiently. In this competitive scenario, businesses need information across all industry verticals; the information about customer wants, market demand, competition, industry trends, distribution channels etc. This information needs to be updated regularly because businesses operate in a dynamic environment. Our organization, The Brainy Insights incorporates scientific and systematic research procedures in order to get proper market insights and industry analysis for overall business success. The analysis consists of studying the market from a miniscule level wherein we implement statistical tools which helps us in examining the data with accuracy and precision. 

Our research reports feature both; quantitative and qualitative aspects for any market. Qualitative information for any market research process are fundamental because they reveal the customer needs and wants, usage and consumption for any product/service related to a specific industry. This in turn aids the marketers/investors in knowing certain perceptions of the customers. Qualitative research can enlighten about the different product concepts and designs along with unique service offering that in turn, helps define marketing problems and generate opportunities. On the other hand, quantitative research engages with the data collection process through interviews, e-mail interactions, surveys and pilot studies. Quantitative aspects for the market research are useful to validate the hypotheses generated during qualitative research method, explore empirical patterns in the data with the help of statistical tools, and finally make the market estimations.

The Brainy Insights offers comprehensive research and analysis, based on a wide assortment of factual insights gained through interviews with CXOs and global experts and secondary data from reliable sources. Our analysts and industry specialist assume vital roles in building up statistical tools and analysis models, which are used to analyse the data and arrive at accurate insights with exceedingly informative research discoveries. The data provided by our organization have proven precious to a diverse range of companies, facilitating them to address issues such as determining which products/services are the most appealing, whether or not customers use the product in the manner anticipated, the purchasing intentions of the market and many others.

Our research methodology encompasses an idyllic combination of primary and secondary initiatives. Key phases involved in this process are listed below:

MARKET RESEARCH PROCESS

Data Procurement:

The phase involves the gathering and collecting of market data and its related information with the help of different sources & research procedures.

The data procurement stage involves in data gathering and collecting through various data sources.

This stage involves in extensive research. These data sources includes:

Purchased Database: Purchased databases play a crucial role in estimating the market sizes irrespective of the domain. Our purchased database includes:

  • The organizational databases such as D&B Hoovers, and Bloomberg that helps us to identify the competitive scenario of the key market players/organizations along with the financial information.
  • Industry/Market databases such as Statista, and Factiva provides market/industry insights and deduce certain formulations. 
  • We also have contractual agreements with various reputed data providers and third party vendors who provide information which are not limited to:
    • Import & Export Data
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    • Usage rates of a particular product/service on certain demographics mainly focusing on the unmet prerequisites

Primary Research: The Brainy Insights interacts with leading companies and experts of the concerned domain to develop the analyst team’s market understanding and expertise. It improves and substantiates every single data presented in the market reports. Primary research mainly involves in telephonic interviews, E-mail interactions and face-to-face interviews with the raw material providers, manufacturers/producers, distributors, & independent consultants. The interviews that we conduct provides valuable data on market size and industry growth trends prevailing in the market. Our organization also conducts surveys with the various industry experts in order to gain overall insights of the industry/market. For instance, in healthcare industry we conduct surveys with the pharmacists, doctors, surgeons and nurses in order to gain insights and key information of a medical product/device/equipment which the customers are going to usage. Surveys are conducted in the form of questionnaire designed by our own analyst team. Surveys plays an important role in primary research because surveys helps us to identify the key target audiences of the market. Additionally, surveys helps to identify the key target audience engaged with the market. Our survey team conducts the survey by targeting the key audience, thus gaining insights from them. Based on the perspectives of the customers, this information is utilized to formulate market strategies. Moreover, market surveys helps us to understand the current competitive situation of the industry. To be precise, our survey process typically involve with the 360 analysis of the market. This analytical process begins by identifying the prospective customers for a product or service related to the market/industry to obtain data on how a product/service could fit into customers’ lives.

Secondary Research: The secondary data sources includes information published by the on-profit organizations such as World bank, WHO, company fillings, investor presentations, annual reports, national government documents, statistical databases, blogs, articles, white papers and others. From the annual report, we analyse a company’s revenue to understand the key segment and market share of that organization in a particular region. We analyse the company websites and adopt the product mapping technique which is important for deriving the segment revenue. In the product mapping method, we select and categorize the products offered by the companies catering to domain specific market, deduce the product revenue for each of the companies so as to get overall estimation of the market size. We also source data and analyses trends based on information received from supply side and demand side intermediaries in the value chain. The supply side denotes the data gathered from supplier, distributor, wholesaler and the demand side illustrates the data gathered from the end customers for respective market domain.

The supply side for a domain specific market is analysed by:

  • Estimating and projecting penetration rates through analysing product attributes, availability of internal and external substitutes, followed by pricing analysis of the product.
  • Experiential assessment of year-on-year sales of the product by conducting interviews.

The demand side for the market is estimated through:

  • Evaluating the penetration level and usage rates of the product.
  • Referring to the historical data to determine the growth rate and evaluate the industry trends

In-house Library: Apart from these third-party sources, we have our in-house library of qualitative and quantitative information. Our in-house database includes market data for various industry and domains. These data are updated on regular basis as per the changing market scenario. Our library includes, historic databases, internal audit reports and archives.

Sometimes there are instances where there is no metadata or raw data available for any domain specific market. For those cases, we use our expertise to forecast and estimate the market size in order to generate comprehensive data sets. Our analyst team adopt a robust research technique in order to produce the estimates:

  • Applying demographic along with psychographic segmentation for market evaluation
  • Determining the Micro and Macro-economic indicators for each region 
  • Examining the industry indicators prevailing in the market. 

Data Synthesis: This stage involves the analysis & mapping of all the information obtained from the previous step. It also involves in scrutinizing the data for any discrepancy observed while data gathering related to the market. The data is collected with consideration to the heterogeneity of sources. Robust scientific techniques are in place for synthesizing disparate data sets and provide the essential contextual information that can orient market strategies. The Brainy Insights has extensive experience in data synthesis where the data passes through various stages:

  • Data Screening: Data screening is the process of scrutinising data/information collected from primary research for errors and amending those collected data before data integration method. The screening involves in examining raw data, identifying errors and dealing with missing data. The purpose of the data screening is to ensure data is correctly entered or not. The Brainy Insights employs objective and systematic data screening grades involving repeated cycles of quality checks, screening and suspect analysis.
  • Data Integration: Integrating multiple data streams is necessary to produce research studies that provide in-depth picture to the clients. These data streams come from multiple research studies and our in house database. After screening of the data, our analysts conduct creative integration of data sets, optimizing connections between integrated surveys and syndicated data sources. There are mainly 2 research approaches that we follow in order to integrate our data; top down approach and bottom up approach.

Market Deduction & Formulation: The final stage comprises of assigning data points at appropriate market spaces so as to deduce feasible conclusions. Analyst perspective & subject matter expert based holistic form of market sizing coupled with industry analysis also plays a crucial role in this stage.

This stage involves in finalization of the market size and numbers that we have collected from data integration step. With data interpolation, it is made sure that there is no gap in the market data. Successful trend analysis is done by our analysts using extrapolation techniques, which provide the best possible forecasts for the market.

Data Validation & Market Feedback: Validation is the most important step in the process. Validation & re-validation via an intricately designed process helps us finalize data-points to be used for final calculations.

The Brainy Insights interacts with leading companies and experts of the concerned domain to develop the analyst team’s market understanding and expertise. It improves and substantiates every single data presented in the market reports. The data validation interview and discussion panels are typically composed of the most experienced industry members. The participants include, however, are not limited to:

  • CXOs and VPs of leading companies’ specific to sector
  • Purchasing managers, technical personnel, end-users
  • Key opinion leaders such as investment bankers, and industry consultants

Moreover, we always validate our data and findings through primary respondents from all the major regions we are working on.

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