How Will the Global Ophthalmology Drugs Market Unlock Strategic Growth Opportunities by 2030?

The global ophthalmology drugs market is undergoing a period of accelerated transformation, offering significant long-term opportunities for pharmaceutical companies, investors, and healthcare leaders. Valued at US$18.34 billion in 2024, the market grew to US$19.52 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$26.28 billion by 2030.

Why Is the Ophthalmology Drugs Market Accelerating?

Several converging factors are fueling market growth and shaping executive-level decisions:

1. Aging Global Population
   Age-related eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and glaucoma are surging. AMD alone is projected to impact millions more as longevity increases, directly driving demand for high-value anti-VEGF therapies.
2. Innovation and Strong R&D Pipeline
   Leading players such as Roche, Regeneron, and Novartis are advancing dual-action therapies (e.g., Vabysmo) and next-generation drug modalities like gene therapies, hydrogels, and long-acting delivery systems. This pipeline is reshaping treatment economics and long-term revenue streams.
3. Strategic Collaborations and Investments
   Partnerships such as Teva–Formycon’s biosimilar alliance for aflibercept or Roche’s global expansion of Vabysmo underline the strategic race to capture geographic markets and extend portfolio competitiveness.
4. Healthcare Infrastructure and Reimbursement Models
   In markets like North America, favorable Medicare reimbursement and strong clinical adoption rates continue to position the region as the market leader, projected to command the largest global share by 2030.

Where Are the Strategic Opportunities for Growth?

Executives seeking to align corporate strategy with market momentum should focus on four key opportunity clusters:

1. Next-Generation Therapeutics

The shift from monoclonal antibodies to gene therapies and sustained-release delivery systems addresses the biggest barrier in ophthalmology—patient adherence. Gene therapy candidates such as Ixoberogene soroparvovec (Ixo-vec) represent potential paradigm-shifting ROI, with one-time treatment models reducing lifetime therapy costs.

2. Biosimilars as Market Equalizers

With aflibercept (Eylea) commanding significant market share, the rise of biosimilars (e.g., AHZANTIVE) offers competitive pricing strategies, expanded patient access, and fresh revenue opportunities in emerging markets.

3. Emerging Market Expansion

Launches like Roche’s Vabysmo in India (2024) highlight how pharma leaders are expanding beyond saturated Western markets. For executives, Asia-Pacific and Latin America represent scalable growth opportunities, fueled by growing middle-class populations and improved diagnostic access.

4. Technology-Enabled Patient Management

Digital health tools, AI-enabled diagnostics, and remote monitoring will increasingly complement ophthalmology drug markets. For boardroom strategies, integrating data-driven patient management can create competitive advantage in patient outcomes, adherence, and real-world evidence collection.

What Are the Restraints and Challenges?

Despite attractive opportunities, senior leaders must mitigate risks:

• Off-label Drug Use: Bevacizumab (Avastin) dominates nearly 50% of the wet AMD market in the US due to lower costs, creating a significant barrier for newer, premium therapies.
• Patient Non-Adherence: Nearly 50% of patients discontinue anti-VEGF therapy within two years, undermining clinical outcomes and reducing market potential.
• High Cost of Therapies: Drugs like Lucentis and Eylea, priced at ~US$1,800 per injection, limit accessibility in cost-sensitive markets.

The companies that can differentiate on value—through durability, convenience, and affordability—will capture long-term market leadership.

When Will Innovation Translate Into ROI?

The next 3–5 years (2025–2030) will be decisive.

• Short-Term (2025–2027): Expect competitive pressures from biosimilars and expanded adoption of dual-action drugs like Vabysmo.
• Medium-Term (2027–2030): Anticipate breakthrough therapies such as gene therapy approvals, reshaping treatment models and long-term revenue flows.
• Beyond 2030: Integration of digital ophthalmology, AI diagnostics, and personalized medicine will define competitive advantage.

Who Will Lead the Market by 2030?

• North America: Largest regional share, driven by advanced infrastructure, reimbursement support, and innovation hubs.
• Europe: Strong biosimilar adoption and policy-driven expansion of off-label approvals.
• Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing region due to rising prevalence, improving access, and strategic product launches.

Pharma giants such as Roche, Regeneron, and Novartis will remain dominant, but biotech challengers (e.g., Opthea, Adverum Biotechnologies) could disrupt with first-mover innovation in gene therapies and novel modalities.

Executive FAQs

1. What is the biggest ROI driver in the ophthalmology drugs market?
The shift toward gene therapies and long-acting delivery platforms is expected to deliver outsized ROI by reducing treatment burden, improving adherence, and redefining pricing models.

2. How should companies respond to off-label drug competition?
Executives should leverage differentiated clinical data, patient-centric outcomes, and value-based pricing models to justify premium therapies against low-cost off-label alternatives.

3. Where should global expansion efforts be prioritized?
Emerging markets, particularly India, China, and Latin America, offer long-term patient volume growth and faster adoption opportunities due to unmet medical needs.

4. What role will biosimilars play by 2030?
Biosimilars will act as both a market disruptor and equalizer, forcing incumbents to innovate while expanding treatment access in price-sensitive regions.

5. How can senior leaders future-proof their strategy?
By investing in innovation pipelines, strategic alliances, and AI-driven patient management, companies can stay ahead of pricing pressures and maximize market share through 2030.

Final Word for Executives

The ophthalmology drugs market is more than a growth story—it is a strategic inflection point. With innovation driving durable therapies, biosimilars democratizing access, and digital health reshaping patient engagement, the market offers multi-billion-dollar opportunities for forward-looking executives.

For C-level leaders, the key is balancing short-term revenue from current anti-VEGF therapies with long-term bets on gene therapy and novel modalities. Those who can anticipate shifts, strategically allocate capital, and lead in innovation will set the benchmark for market leadership through 2030 and beyond.