SH lenses forecast to revolutionise market

The global contact lens and lens care solutions market is expected to reach US$6.7bn by 2010, spurred by rapid penetration of high-value products, growing incidence of myopia, reduction in wearer drop-outs and expansion of lesser developed markets, according to a new report.

Contact lenses and solutions: a global strategic business report predicts convenience is likely to continue to drive the daily disposable, bi-weekly and monthly disposable market, with sales of conventional soft lenses and rigid gas-permeables set to slide further.

Silicone hydrogels are expected to revolutionise the extended wear segment, and out of a total of 125 million wearers worldwide, some 50 per cent are projected to shift to silicone hydrogel lenses in the next four to five years. The report added that with the rise in astigmatism and presbyopia there was huge potential for speciality lenses such as toric, bifocal and multifocal lenses, especially in Japan, the UK, Asia and the US. The US, Japan and Europe represent about 88 per cent of the global share.