Asia drives CL market growth

Global demand for contact lenses remains strong, with Asia continuing to drive growth according to the latest report from GfK.

In the 12 months to June 2012 Europe's contact lens market grew in value by 3.2 per cent while the market in the US increased 4.8 per cent. Both figures represent an increase of 1 per cent on the previous year's growth rates.

The real powerhouse for contact lens penetration was in the Asian region covering China, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore where growth was 7.4 per cent.

Korea continues to be the fastest growing market, with expansion of nearly 15 per cent and it now accounts for 38 per cent of sales by value in the region. Taiwan makes up 21.3 per cent of the total area value.