The ophthalmology market - Italy

The global ophthalmology market, valued at $52.07 billion in 2020, grew to $55.28 billion in 2021 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.52% to reach $81.05 billion by 2027. Advancements in medical technology are driving this growth, although the market faces challenges such as a shortage of qualified professionals and high costs of diagnostic instruments. The Italian market specifically saw a turnover of €731 million in 2021, with an upward trend despite a decrease in the optical market due to increased competition, resulting in a 14.4% decline to €2.5 billion in 2020. Exports and imports of corrective eyewear play a significant role in Italy's international trade, with significant imports of corrective eyeglasses, primarily from Germany. Despite universal challenges, the aging population, increasing instances of eye disorders, and changing consumption habits due to technological advances are key demand drivers in the ophthalmology sector.

Accelerating Demand in Italy's Ophthalmology Market

Italy's ophthalmology market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by demographic shifts and a rising incidence of eye disorders. One of the primary growth drivers in this sector is the aging population, with individuals over the age of 60 comprising approximately 29.3 percent of the total population. This trend suggests a growing necessity for eye care services, as conditions such as presbyopia, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma become more prevalent with age. The data indicate a sharp increase in the number of Italians with vision problems. As recently as 2021, around 43 in every 100 individuals had eye issues, with nearly 18 percent under 15 years old and about 34 percent aged 65 or older. Common vision problems extend beyond age-related conditions, with near vision issues impacting roughly 25 percent of the population. In children aged 6-13 years, the demand for eye care is primarily driven by conditions such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Rising screen time, due to increased use of electronic devices in both professional and leisure contexts, is another factor contributing to the growing demand for ophthalmic care. This behavioral change is particularly noticeable among the younger age demographic and is leading to a higher incidence of myopia and other visual defects. The influence of demographics is palpable, with those above 50 years of age exhibiting an increased likelihood of experiencing vision issues. In terms of eye disorders, the frequency of age-related macular degeneration jumps markedly from about 4.2 percent in the 45-59 age bracket to over 27 percent among those in the 80-84 age range. While a significant portion of the population undergoes periodic eye examinations, there seems to be a substantial contingent that either rarely seeks such medical care or has never undergone an ophthalmic check-up. Ophthalmic care expenses represent just a small slice of overall Italian health expenditure. However, glaucoma treatments and myotics are notable for ranking among the top 20 therapeutic categories by expenditure. This growing demand for ophthalmic care faces a challenging backdrop of limited specialist availability. With approximately 7,624 ophthalmologists to serve nearly 60 million people, the ratio of specialists to the population is far from ideal. This shortage is reflected in long average wait times for appointments, with ophthalmology outstripping other medical professions at around 11 months. Given these dynamics, it is clear that the Italian.

Key Players in the Global Ophthalmology Market Landscape

The ophthalmology market is shaped by the presence of various key players, each contributing to the sector through their specialized services, products, and innovations. Among the notable companies, the following have established their foothold in the industry:

Fimas Oftalmologia: This Italian company makes a remarkable impact as a provider of advanced technological devices for medical centers. Specializing in ophthalmic equipment, Fimas Oftalmologia plays a crucial role by equipping healthcare professionals with the tools necessary to diagnose and treat eye-related issues effectively.

Omnivision: Focused on the production of ophthalmic drugs, Omnivision is another important actor within the market. Their pharmaceutical contributions support the medical treatment of various eye diseases, catering to the therapeutic needs of patients across the country.

ARTVISTA: Situated in Sardinia, ARTVISTA is recognized for specializing in the creation of custom-made contact lenses. Their bespoke service caters to individual prescriptions, ensuring patients receive tailored vision correction solutions.

Bernardi Optical Center S.R.L.: Based in the Marche region, Bernardi Optical Center caters to the needs of individuals requiring vision correction through their extensive range of corrective eyewear, including frames and contact lenses.

Centro Ottico Ophthalmico Di Martino S.R.L.: In Palermo, Sicily, Centro Ottico offers corrective eyewear services from professional fittings to personalized lens crafting, providing a vital service for those in need of vision correction.

Scarlatti Optical Center of Golser Ciro Nikolaus: Operating from Naples, this center stands out for its contribution to the optical market with a range of ophthalmic products, particularly gained attention for their custom contact lens services.

Reflex Center of Sammarchi Elva: Located in Turin, they are another notable provider of contact lenses, addressing the customized needs of individuals with vision impairments.

Contact Color SRL: This Rome-based company is a key player in the field of ophthalmic lenses, offering a variety of contact lenses to cater to different visual needs and preferences.

Contactflex di Valentini Edilberto & C. S.N.C.: Also located in Rome, they underscore the demand for specialized ophthalmic contact lenses, meeting the diverse requirements of the market.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 10/05/2022

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Growth in the number of visually impaired people
• Expanding the market for ophthalmic devices and instruments
• Age-group-specific prevalence estimates for (any) age-related macular degeneration
• Most common vision problems in Italy, per 100,000 population
• Vision defects most common among children, 6 - 13 years old
• Breakdown of eyewear market sales, by product
• Imports, exports and coverage rate: optics market
• Main export destinations of optical market items
• Main destinations of the import of optical market items
• Frequency of ophthalmic examination in Italy
• Medical checkups that Italians are most likely to put off
• Distribution Ophthalmologists in Italy, by age
• Waiting times for appointments by profession
• Retail sales of ophthalmic products
• Average fee for an eye examination in public or accredited private facilities