European markets see growth in soft lenses

A comparison of Europe's soft contact lens markets in 2009 has revealed that despite the financial crisis the value of soft contact lenses across 11 major European markets in 2009 grew by 5.7 per cent to €1.052bn.

The survey was conducted by the European Federation of National Associations and International Companies of Contact Lens (and Lens Care) Manufacturers (Euromcontact). It disclosed that daily disposable lenses are worn by 3.36 per cent of the UK and Ireland population aged 15-64. This figure amounts to 46.7 per cent of all UK and Ireland soft lens wearers.

The survey analysed contact lens data provided by manufacturers on a total of 18 different European markets as well as Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Israel and the United Arab Emirates