Ophthalmic Sutures Market - By Type, By Material, By Coating, By Material Structure, By Absorption, By Application, By End Use & Global Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Ophthalmic Sutures Market Size

The global ophthalmic sutures market was valued at around USD 906.3 million in 2023 and is expected to reach around USD 1.6 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. Ophthalmic sutures are specialized surgical threads used in eye surgeries to close wounds, incisions, or tissues around the eye. They are crafted to be delicate, precise, and biocompatible, ensuring minimal tissue trauma while promoting optimal healing. Their design ensures maximum precision and safety for patients undergoing delicate eye surgery.
 

The ophthalmic sutures market is expanding at a notable pace due to the rise in the global burden of eye diseases and the increasing number of ophthalmic surgical procedures. In 2023, it is estimated that the total number of suspected cases of glaucoma is over 60 million worldwide. Similarly, nearly 200 million people worldwide are thought to be living with age related macular degeneration, a number expected to reach 288 million by 2040. These eye conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration are growing more prevalent due to growing aging population and lifestyle factors. All these conditions mostly require surgery, thereby increasing the demand for high quality ophthalmic sutures to close wounds.

In addition, development of new types of sutures such as biodegradable and antimicrobial-coated sutures are improving surgical outcomes and increasing adoption. There have also been innovations in ophthalmic surgical techniques such as the more common use of minimally invasive surgery, which increases the demand for softer, more specialized ophthalmic sutures, thereby driving market growth.
 

Ophthalmic Sutures Market Trends

The increasing burden of diabetes, one of the major risk factors for ophthalmic conditions, is fuelling the growth of the market.
 

• As per WHO stats, about 830 million people worldwide have diabetes. Diabetes is linked to several ocular complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts, which, if left untreated, can cause irreversible vision loss.
   
• As the global population of diabetics rises—and is expected to pass 640 million by the year 2045—there is an accompanying increase in the number of surgeries carried out to treat those complications. This insidious rise in potential patients bolsters growth in the ophthalmic suture market.
   
• Also, the improvement of the surgical techniques as well as the enhanced availability of eye care services increases the standard of eye surgical procedures, further driving the market growth.
     

Ophthalmic Sutures Market Analysis

By type, the market is categorized into natural and synthetic. The synthetic segment dominated the market with a revenue of USD 620.5 million in 2023.
 

• Often made from materials like polyglycolic acid, polyglactin, and polydioxanone, synthetic sutures have very good tensile strength, predictable absorption, and significantly lesser chances of provoking tissue reactions. These very qualities make them especially useful in delicate ophthalmic surgeries.
   
• Additionally, developments in synthetic suture technology, including bioabsorbable and antimicrobial-coated variants, have propelled the segment’s domination in the market.
   

By material, the ophthalmic sutures market is categorized into PGA, nylon, silk, polypropylene, and other materials. The PGA segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 34.6% in 2023.
 

• PGA sutures are absorbable which means that they dissolve internally over time and so do not require removal. This reduces a patient's risk of exposure to infections and increases their comfort after the procedure.
   
• These sutures also provide ideal initial tensile strength necessary for maintaining close tissues during wound healing. It is also ideal for sensitive eye tissues, as it clamps the wound's edges together with the sutured tension. Moreover, they provide excellent wound support during the healing phase. All these features contribute to the high demand PGA ophthalmic sutures.
   

By coating, the ophthalmic sutures market is categorized as coated and uncoated. The uncoated segment is anticipated to dominate the market with a revenue of around USD 1.1 billion in 2032.
 

• High market share of uncoated sutures is mainly because of a high rate of acceptance and proven effectiveness in the delicate nature of ophthalmic surgeries.
   
• Uncoated sutures are known for their improved knot security because they have higher friction coefficients than coated sutures. This feature is very vital in ophthalmic surgeries where secure knots are required to keep tissues approximated without slipping.
   
• Additionally, low tissue reactivity and ease of handling further enhances its adoption rate.
   
• In addition, a lower price in comparison to coated sutures has also made them more popular globally especially in regions with lower healthcare costs.
   

By material structures, the ophthalmic sutures market is categorized into monofilament and multifilament/braided. The monofilament segment is anticipated to dominate the market with the fastest growth rate of CAGR 6.4% till 2032.
 

• The monofilament segment holds the biggest market share in ophthalmic sutures because of its ease of use in delicate surgeries of the eye. A monofilament suture is formed using a single piece of material, enabling easy sliding of suture through tissues, which reduces tissue damage and the chances of infection.
   
• Such sutures have high tensile strength ensuring secure knots and are also suitable for ophthalmic procedures like cataract surgery, corneal surgery, or glaucoma surgery where precise and strong sutures are mandatory.
   
• Moreover, monofilament sutures are produced in both absorbable and non-absorbable forms, thus meeting the varying surgical requirements and preferences of the patients, which increases its acceptance.
   

By absorption, the ophthalmic sutures market is categorized into absorbable and non-absorbable. The non-absorbable segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 83.2% in 2023.
 

• High preference to non-absorbable sutures is owing to the long-term stability they provide during surgical procedures. In ophthalmic surgeries where tissue support is required for long periods, non-absorbable sutures made of nylon, polypropylene, and polyester are used.
   
• Non-absorbable sutures are superior to absorbable sutures due to their increased strength and greater durability. These sutures do not degrade, which further enhances its adoption in ophthalmic surgeries.
   

By application, the ophthalmic sutures market is categorized into cataract surgery, corneal transplantation surgery, glaucoma surgery, vitrectomy, oculoplastic surgery, and other applications. The cataract surgery segment is anticipated to dominate the market with a revenue of around USD 772.6 million in 2032.
 

• The segment of cataract surgery dominates the market due to increased incidence of cataracts and rise in cataract surgery operations around the world. Cataracts is one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness, especially among the elderly.
   
• Additionally, increased accessibility and efficiency in performing cataract surgeries has drastically increased the number of total surgeries performed owing to the new advancements in the technology and techniques used to perform surgery, further driving the segmental growth.

By end use, the ophthalmic sutures market is categorized into hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other end users. The hospital segment dominated the market with a revenue share of around 57.5% in 2023.
 

• A major portion of the ophthalmic suture's utilization is attributed to the hospitals owing to the high number of ophthalmic operations performed in these facilities.
   
• Patients prefer hospitals because they have qualified surgeons, specialized facilities and advanced medical equipment available.
   
• Furthermore, the growth of the hospitals segment is being fuelled by the growing use of minimally invasive techniques as well as the increasing number of eye diseases requiring surgical procedures.

North America ophthalmic sutures market accounted for USD 353.5 million in revenue in 2023 and is predicted to witness substantial market growth over the analysis timeline.
 

• Factors such as the presence of a sophisticated healthcare infrastructure, adoption of new surgical techniques, and developed healthcare systems within the region promote high regional growth.
   
• Furthermore, the region's increasing number of ophthalmic surgeries, especially cataracts, plays a vital role in the region’s supremacy in the industry.
   
• Moreover, hospitals and surgical centers across this region are outfitted with advanced technologies that facilitate the use of specific ophthalmic sutures in these procedures, thereby enhancing the scope for market growth.
   

The U.S. ophthalmic sutures market is anticipated to reach USD 543.6 million by 2032.
 

• The country is equipped with advanced medical care, as well as the best professionals, allowing the frequent use of ophthalmic sutures in operations.
   
• Also, the availability of comprehensive health insurance allows people to undergo eye surgeries and treatments, further increasing the adoption of ophthalmic sutures.
   

The ophthalmic sutures market in UK is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2024 to 2032.
 

• The development in the surgical techniques and the rise in the minimally invasive surgeries is stimulating the growth of the UK market.
   
• Furthermore, in the UK, the growing rate of eye infections like cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes retinopathy has resulted in an increase in the eye surgeries done, which further propels the need for specific types of eye sutures.
   
• The advanced health care systems and a vast number of qualified eye surgeons in the country further enhance the growth of market in the UK.
   

Japan ophthalmic sutures market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2024 – 2032.
 

• In Japan, owing to large population of elderly, cataract surgery is one of the most performed ocular surgeries, with millions of surgeries done each year. Each surgery usually has many ophthalmic sutures applied, which increases the demand on the market.
   
• Additionally, Japan’s innovative healthcare systems alongside attentive government assistance towards advanced medical care, further boosts the market growth.
   

Ophthalmic Sutures Market Share

The market is fragmented in nature with the presence of as large multinationals and small to medium firms compete in this market. Invention and introduction of new products with better effectiveness and cost-efficiency remain the core strategies of suture manufacturers in the ophthalmic sector to spur competition within the market. Such innovation strives to respond to changing clinical requirements while improving patient's health outcomes and assists in scaling up the companies to capture the increased market opportunities for sophisticated sutures.
 

Ophthalmic Sutures Market Companies

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the ophthalmic sutures industry include:

• Alcon
• Asssut Medical
• Aurolab
• Accutome
• B Braun Melsungen AG
• Corzamedical
• DemeTECH Corporation
• Ethicon (J&J)
• FCI Ophthalmics
• Geuder
• Mani
• Medtronic
• Teleflex Incorporated
• Unilene
   

USPs of top players

• Vendors such as Ethicon (J&J), Medtronic and Teleflex are significantly investing towards expanding their distribution network which is contributing to an increased accessibility for their product across diverse global market.
   
• These companies offer a variety of suture materials to be able to cater to a wider customer base
   
• Innovation in design, quality, and material are key strategies adopted by market players to gain a competitive edge.
   

Ophthalmic Sutures Industry News:

• In June 2022, Corza Medical acquired Barron Precision Instruments, LLC (BPI), a founder-owned medical device company focused on ophthalmic surgery products. This acquisition improved the company’s product portfolio and enabled them with increased customer base.
   

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE