Acute Ocular Pain Market Assessment, By Drug [Topical NSAIDs, Topical Cycloplegic Agents, Oral Analgesics, Corticosteroids, Immunomodulators], By Medical Condition [Corneal Abrasion, Glaucoma, Conjunctivitis, Iritis, Others], By Route of Administration [T

Acute Ocular Pain Market Assessment, By Drug [Topical NSAIDs, Topical Cycloplegic Agents, Oral Analgesics, Corticosteroids, Immunomodulators], By Medical Condition [Corneal Abrasion, Glaucoma, Conjunctivitis, Iritis, Others], By Route of Administration [Topical, Periocular, Intraocular, Oral, Others], By Distribution Channel [Hospital Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy], By End-user [Hospitals, Homecare, Ophthalmic Clinics, Others], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2017-2031F

Global acute ocular pain market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.93% during the forecast period 2024-2031, growing from USD 401.77 million in 2023 to USD 796.45 million in 2031. Growth in the global acute ocular pain market is driven by various factors, such as increasing aging population that contributes to a higher prevalence of ocular conditions, technological advancements in medical industry, increased demand for innovative diagnostic tools and techniques to enhance eye screening process, and growing investments by public and private firms in developing efficient treatment options. Additionally, favorable regulatory frameworks, increased research and development activities, along with collaboration ventures also lead to the growth of the global acute ocular pain market.

The global acute ocular pain market is experiencing tremendous growth due to various key factors. One of the primary drivers is the increasing aging population. The aging population contributes significantly to the increasing prevalence of acute ocular pain. Elderly people are more susceptible to ocular conditions that can lead to pain and inflammation and require immediate treatment. Due to this, there is an increased demand for drugs and therapeutical solutions for acute ocular pain. Government initiatives and support, such as granting funds, to enhance research and development activities in this market and implementation of policies and programs to manage and monitor eye-related conditions are propelling the market growth. The presence of key market players, along with continuous technological advancements in the market, is further driving the demand for highly advanced eye-care solutions. Moreover, collaboration activities, such as mergers and acquisitions, distribution agreements and partnerships, along with new entrants in the market, are further accelerating the growth of the global acute ocular pain market.

For instance, Mantis Photonics AB, which is a start-up founded in the year 2021, aims to make eye screening accessible to all by providing highly efficient early diagnosis facilities for timely detection and treatment of eye health conditions such as acute ocular pain.

Increasing Geriatric Population

With the growing aging population, there has been a surge in the prevalence of eye health issues such as acute ocular pain. According to World Social Report 2023, the global population of individuals aged 65 years or older is projected to increase twofold in the next thirty years, reaching 1.6 billion by 2050. It is estimated that by this point, the geriatric population will make up over 16% of the world's population. As individuals age, they become more vulnerable to ocular conditions like dry eyes, glaucoma, iritis, and infections, which can lead to discomfort and pain. To combat these eye-related diseases, it is of utmost importance that frequent eye screening, regular eye checkups, and preventive measures should be followed by the global population. With the growing aging population, there has been increased research and development activities in this market to cater to the needs of this growing population, which is expected to accelerate growth and demand for the global acute ocular pain market.

Increased Governmental Support and Initiatives

Government plays a crucial role in managing and monitoring medical conditions such as eye-related diseases. Eye care facilities, such as eye screening devices, therapeutical solutions, and eye care clinics, are an essential part of the health care system worldwide. As the prevalence of eye health conditions, such as acute ocular pain, is increasing, the demand for eye evaluation devices and safe and efficient treatment options continues to grow. Due to this, governments from all over the world are consistently taking initiatives and implementing policies and programs to increase innovation and research activities in developing efficient therapeutical solutions for acute ocular pain. For instance, in May 2023, National Health Service (NHS) England announced the implementation of a new clinical guidance, which could reduce waiting times for eye care services for patients in England as well as provide improved and efficient eye care diagnosis and treatment facilities to the people. The government is allocating resources and funds to bring innovation and development in ophthalmic care. This support is expected to improve the quality of eye care treatment for patients, further boosting the global acute ocular pain market.

Increased Demand for Topical NSAIDs

Among the drug segment, topical NSAIDs are gaining popularity, due to which this segment is expected to grow at a faster pace in the global acute ocular pain market. Topical NSAIDs are safer and more effective as compared to other forms of drug administration, due to which they are preferred by most companies and healthcare professionals. As the demand is rising, several leading players are launching these products in their product portfolio. For instance, Vyluma, an ophthalmic care company that works to improve the treatment quality of eye-related diseases, announced that it is developing NVK032, which is a topical NSAID eye drop. This is currently under clinical trial and has been developed for the treatment of acute ocular pain. These latest launches and research and development activities by the leading players in this segment are expected to spur growth in the global acute ocular pain market.

Hospitals Hold a Major Share in the Market

Among the end-user segment, hospitals hold a significant share of the global acute ocular pain market. The increasing global aging population and the rising number of hospitals to cater to the demands of this growing aging population are the main reasons for the dominance of the segment in this market. Acute ocular pain is a common eye condition occurring in most of the elderly population, further requiring immediate eye care and treatment. This has accelerated the need to establish more highly equipped hospitals to provide the necessary treatment. Due to this, developed, as well as developing countries, are increasing the number of hospitals with proper diagnostics and treatment facilities. For instance, according to the American Hospital Association, in the year 2023, there were 6,129 hospitals in the United States and now, more hospitals are under construction. Compared to other healthcare settings, hospitals ranks top in adopting the latest technologies and having efficient products and resources, due to which, there is increased trust among the people to approach hospitals for sensitive health conditions such as eye care. As a result, hospitals hold a significant market share in this market.

Asia-Pacific is Expected to Grow

Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in the global acute ocular pain market. Rapidly increasing population, along with growing aging population, is the major factor leading to the growth of this region in the forecasted period. For instance, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific states that in the year 2023, around 697 million individuals aged 60 years or older were living in Asia-Pacific, accounting for approximately 60% of the global geriatric population. Currently, one out of every seven individuals in the region are 60 years or older, also by 2050, this ratio is expected to increase to one in four. As the aging population holds a significant share in this region, it is expected that more and more people are prone to getting affected by eye health issues such as acute ocular pain. This has led to an increase in demand for effective treatment options and medical facilities in this region, leading to the growth of acute ocular pain market in Asia-Pacific. Moreover, Asia-Pacific is an emerging market, due to which key market players are establishing manufacturing and distribution facilities in the region to expand their business, leading to further growth of the global acute ocular pain market.

Future Market Scenario (2024 – 2031F)

The global acute ocular pain market is expected to grow in the future, primarily due to the increasing elderly population that leads to increased probability of eye-related diseases. Increasing governmental initiatives, policies, and programs to promote eye health and develop efficient treatment options are expected to drive market expansion. Technological advancements, favorable regulatory frameworks, increased investments by public and private eye health product manufacturers, along with collaborative ventures are some of the factors leading to significant growth in this market. For instance, in August 2023, OKYO Pharma, which is a biopharmaceutical company, announced partnership with Tufts Medical Center to develop OK-101. This product is the company’s latest investment to create a therapeutic drug for relieving ocular pain. These investments and innovative launches are further accelerating the growth of the global acute ocular pain market.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

In the acute ocular pain market, several leading players are frequently undergoing strategic partnerships and distribution agreements, which plays a pivotal role in propelling the global acute ocular pain market's expansion. These partnership agreements empower pharmaceuticals and ophthalmic companies to gain informative insights regarding the latest trends in the market, access each other’s resources, technologies, and invest in research and development activities to bring efficient and innovative treatment options that can provide maximum benefit to the patients. Distribution agreements enable companies to broaden their market presence at a global level. These collaborative initiatives promote innovation, expedite product development, and contribute to the enduring and tremendous growth of the global market. For instance, in August 2022, Alcon, which is a key player in the eye care products market, announced that it has acquired Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company that focuses on manufacturing and developing efficient ophthalmic therapies. This acquisition would help the company to broaden the company’s product portfolio and expand its global reach.