Europe Contact Lenses Market Size

The Europe contact lenses market was valued at USD 5.5 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 3.4% from 2024 to 2032. Consumers are increasingly choosing contact lenses over traditional eyewear due to aesthetic preferences and comfort.

Innovations like silicone hydrogel lenses and daily disposables have improved the safety and comfort of contact lenses, driving their adoption. According to the European Contact Lens Society, the use of daily disposable lenses has grown by 15% annually.

Additionally, the aging population and increased screen time are leading to more vision problems, boosting demand for corrective solutions such as multifocal and toric lenses. The expanding retail presence and e-commerce platforms have made contact lenses more accessible across Europe, meeting the needs of a tech-savvy consumer base that values convenience in purchasing. The European Association of Optometry reports a 20% increase in online contact lens sales over the past year.

Europe Contact Lenses Market Trends

In Europe, the market faces intense competition from the eyeglasses segment, especially with high-end fashion brands entering the eyewear business. Eyeglasses have evolved into a fashion statement, appealing to both younger and older consumers. According to the European Eyewear Association, the demand for fashion-forward eyeglasses increased by 15% last year. Collaborations between eyewear brands and designers, resulting in limited edition releases, have further fueled this demand. The convenience and non-invasive nature of eyeglasses also broaden their appeal. Consequently, the contact lens market feels the pressure to innovate in response.

In Europe, the contact lens market faces intense competition from the eyeglasses segment, especially with high-end fashion brands entering the eyewear market. Eyeglasses have evolved into a fashion statement, appealing to both younger and older consumers. According to the European Eyewear Association, the demand for fashion-forward eyeglasses increased by 15% over the past year. Collaborations between eyewear brands and designers, resulting in limited edition releases, have further fueled this demand. The convenience and non-invasive nature of eyeglasses also broaden their appeal.

Europe Contact Lenses Market Analysis

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Based on product, the Europe contact lenses market is segmented into rigid gas permeable, soft contact and hybrid contact. The rigid gas permeable lenses dominated the market in 2023, generating revenue exceeding USD 4.9 billion with a CAGR of 3.4%. This dominance can be attributed to the superior oxygen permeability and durability over soft lenses.

Heightened awareness of eye health, coupled with the advantages of RGP lenses for astigmatism and keratoconus, is boosting demand. Furthermore, innovations in lens design and materials are improving comfort and wearability, elevating the appeal of RGP lenses. According to the Contact Lens Manufacturers Association, the market for RGP lenses has seen a 15% annual growth rate.

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Based on design, the Europe contact lenses market is classified into spherical, toric, multifocal and others (monovision). The spherical contact lenses dominated the market in 2023, with revenue exceeding USD 3.4 billion with a CAGR of 3.5%. The expanding market for spherical designed contact lenses is attributed to their efficacy in correcting myopia and hyperopia, making them the top choice for millions.

The European Society of Ophthalmology states that approximately 30% of the European population is affected by myopia, and 20% by hyperopia. This development is fueled by heightened awareness of vision care and a surge in refractive errors. Moreover, innovations in lens materials and designs have enhanced comfort and clarity, drawing in new users and those transitioning from glasses.

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U.K. emerged as the dominant region, generating a substantial revenue of USD 1.4 billion, and is expected to reach USD 2 billion by 2032. The contact lens market in the U.K. is expanding, driven by a rise in vision disorders, particularly myopia, due to increased screen time and digital device usage. According to the British Contact Lens Association, myopia affects approximately 30% of the U.K. population. Technological advancements in lenses, such as silicone hydrogel and daily disposables, enhance comfort and safety, making them more appealing to consumers.

On the other hand, the market of Germany witnessed revenue of USD 1 billion with an estimated CAGR value of 3.6% for the forecast period of 2024-2032. The increasing prevalence of vision issues, including myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, is driving the demand for effective vision correction solutions.

Europe Contact Lenses Market Share

The market is fragmented, with prominent players, such as Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Alcon (Novartis), Bausch + Lomb, The Cooper Companies, Inc. (CooperVision), EssilorLuxottica holding a market share of 25-30%. Manufacturers are adopting strategic steps, such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations, to meet the growing consumer demand and consolidate their position in the market.

Europe Contact Lenses Market Companies

Major players operating in the Europe contact lenses industry include:

• Alcon (Novartis)
• Avizor
• Bausch + Lomb
• BenQ Materials Corporation
• Carl Zeiss
• Clearlab International
• EssilorLuxottica
• Hoya Corporation
• Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
• Mark’ennovy Personalized Care
• Menicon
• NeoVision
• PEGAVISION Corporation
• PolyVue
• Safilens
• The Cooper Companies, Inc. (CooperVision)
  

Europe Contact Lenses Market News

• In 2023, Alcon launched its latest contact lens technology in Europe, focusing on enhanced comfort and vision clarity. According to the German Contact Lens Association, the demand for premium contact lenses in Germany has seen a 15% increase over the past year.
  
• In 2022, Bausch + Lomb expanded its manufacturing facility in Ireland to increase its production capacity for contact lenses. This move aims to meet the rising demand in the European market. The German Contact Lens Association reported a 10% growth in contact lens usage in Germany during the same period.
  

The Europe contact lenses market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) and volume (Million Units) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Rigid gas permeable
• Soft contact
• Hybrid contact

Market, By Type

• Corrective
• Therapeutic lenses
• Cosmetic lenses
  • Colored
  • Circle
• Prosthetic lenses

Market, By Material

• Hydrogel
  • HEMA hydrogel
  • Silicone hydrogel
• Polymers
  • Polyvinyl alcohol
  • Rigid gas permeable

Market, By Design

• Spherical
• Toric
• Multifocal
• Others (Monovision)

Market, By Usage

• Daily disposable
• Weekly disposable
• Monthly disposable
• Annual

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Online
  • E commerce
  • Company websites
• Offline
  • Optical stores
  • Eye care clinics

The above information is provided for the following countries:

• UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Russia
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Sweden
• Portugal
• Hungary