Ophthalmic Lasers Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Diode Lasers, Femtosecond Lasers, Excimer Lasers, Nd:YAG Lasers, SLT Lasers, Others), By Application (Glaucoma, Cataract Removal, Refractive Error Correction, Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Others), By End Use (Outpatient Facilities, Inpatient Facilities), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.92 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.04%
Fastest Growing Segment	Outpatient Facilities
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.73 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market is projected to grow from USD 1.92 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.73 Billion by 2031 at a 6.04% CAGR. Ophthalmic lasers are specialized medical devices that employ focused light energy to perform non-invasive or minimally invasive surgical procedures for treating conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors. The market is primarily driven by the globally aging population and the increasing incidence of chronic eye diseases which necessitate surgical intervention. According to The Vision Council, in 2025, the market value of eye exams during the second quarter increased by 14 percent compared to the previous year, reflecting a surge in diagnostic sector value that often precedes laser-based treatments.

Despite this positive trajectory, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the substantial acquisition costs associated with advanced laser platforms. These high financial barriers can deter smaller healthcare facilities from adopting the latest technology and may restrict market penetration in developing regions where healthcare budgets are constrained.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Ophthalmic Disorders serves as a fundamental catalyst for the Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market, as the growing burden of eye diseases drives the necessity for surgical solutions. An aging demographic and lifestyle changes are accelerating the incidence of conditions like myopia and cataracts, thereby expanding the pool of patients eligible for laser-based treatments. This increasing clinical need is supported by recent findings regarding refractive error trends. According to the British Journal of Ophthalmology, in October 2024, a comprehensive analysis projected that the global prevalence of myopia will reach nearly 40 percent by 2050, underscoring the substantial long-term demand for corrective ophthalmic procedures.

The market is further propelled by a Surge in Adoption of Refractive and Cataract Surgeries, which translates rising patient numbers into tangible industry growth. Healthcare facilities are actively procuring advanced surgical systems to handle procedural volume, resulting in improved financial performance for leading device manufacturers. This expansion is evident in recent corporate financial disclosures. According to Alcon, in February 2025, the company announced that its surgical net sales for the full year 2024 totaled $5.5 billion, a 4 percent increase over the prior year. Similarly, according to Bausch + Lomb, in February 2025, the surgical segment generated $843 million in revenue for the full year 2024, reflecting a 10 percent growth compared to 2023. These figures highlight the robust commercial uptake of ophthalmic surgical technologies globally.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial acquisition costs associated with advanced laser platforms constitute a primary challenge restricting the expansion of the Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market. This high capital intensity acts as a significant barrier to entry for smaller independent clinics and healthcare facilities in developing regions, where financial resources are often limited. Consequently, many medical providers are forced to extend the operational lifespan of existing equipment rather than upgrading to newer, higher-priced technologies. This reluctance to modernize due to financial constraints directly reduces the volume of new unit sales and slows the broader market penetration of innovative laser systems.

This economic pressure is further exacerbated by tightening reimbursement models that erode the net income of practices, thereby shrinking the capital available for high-value investments. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in 2025, ophthalmologists faced a Medicare payment reduction of approximately 2.8 percent, creating a fiscally constrained environment that discourages the acquisition of expensive surgical devices. Such reductions in operational revenue compel practices to prioritize essential overhead expenses over the procurement of premium laser platforms, effectively hampering the overall growth potential of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Shift Towards Flapless Refractive Lenticule Extraction Procedures is fundamentally reshaping the corneal surgery landscape, moving the market beyond traditional flap-based LASIK. This trend is characterized by the increasing preference for minimally invasive techniques like SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction) and SILK (Smooth Incision Lenticule Keratomileusis), which offer superior biomechanical stability and reduced incidence of post-operative dry eye. The commercial viability of this segment is being reinforced by the expansion of proprietary platforms from key manufacturers, solidifying the transition toward flapless methodologies. According to Carl Zeiss Meditec, December 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024/25', revenue for the Ophthalmology Strategic Business Unit rose to €1.72 billion, an 8.5 percent increase over the prior year, driven significantly by the sustained demand for refractive laser solutions.

Simultaneously, the Adoption of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) as Primary Glaucoma Treatment is gaining momentum, displacing pharmaceutical drops as the first-line standard of care. This paradigm shift is supported by strong clinical evidence advocating for early laser intervention to manage intraocular pressure more effectively and improve patient compliance. Industry leaders are capitalizing on this transition by introducing automated and direct laser technologies designed to streamline the procedure and enhance surgeon adoption rates. This strategic focus on interventional glaucoma technologies is reflected in recent market performance. According to Alcon, February 2025, in the 'Alcon Reports Full-Year 2024 Results' press release, surgical net sales for the fourth quarter of 2024 reached $1.4 billion, underscoring the robust demand for advanced surgical equipment and implantables facilitating these modern treatment protocols.

Segmental Insights

The Outpatient Facilities segment is currently the fastest-growing category within the Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the increasing availability of compact, portable laser systems that enable ambulatory surgical centers and specialized clinics to perform complex treatments efficiently. Patients and insurers are increasingly prioritizing these settings due to significantly lower procedural costs and the convenience of same-day discharge compared to traditional inpatient hospital stays. Furthermore, this shift is supported by evolving reimbursement models that incentivize minimally invasive, high-throughput care, encouraging healthcare providers to decentralize services and optimize patient recovery times in non-hospital environments.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global ophthalmic lasers market, driven by the widespread prevalence of age-related eye conditions and rising demand for corrective procedures. The region benefits significantly from a well-developed healthcare infrastructure that supports the early adoption of medical technologies. Additionally, the presence of key industry manufacturers and favorable reimbursement frameworks facilitates broader market accessibility. Regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ensures high safety standards, which builds provider confidence and accelerates product approvals. These factors collectively establish North America as the primary hub for ophthalmic laser developments.

Recent Developments

• In April 2025, BVI Medical received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Laser Endoscopy Ophthalmic System, marketed as Leos. The device was described by the company as the only laser system capable of lowering intraocular pressure by addressing aqueous humor production through a minimally invasive ab interno procedure. The system integrated endoscopic capabilities to provide surgeons with enhanced visualization of the eye's anatomy during glaucoma treatments. This regulatory milestone allowed the company to prepare for a commercial launch to advance minimally invasive surgical options for glaucoma patients.
• In July 2024, Alcon completed the acquisition of Belkin Vision, an Israel-based medical device company, for an upfront consideration of $81 million. The transaction agreement also included potential payments of up to $385 million contingent upon sales-based milestones. Through this acquisition, Alcon obtained the Direct Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (DSLT) technology, a non-contact, automated laser treatment for glaucoma. The company stated that this technology would broaden its glaucoma portfolio and support a shift toward first-line laser therapy for patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.
• In January 2024, Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced that it had received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the TENEO Excimer Laser Platform. This regulatory clearance allowed the company to market the device for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) vision correction surgery to treat myopia and myopic astigmatism. The platform features a high-speed laser operating at 500 Hz and an advanced eye-tracker, which were designed to enhance precision and efficiency during procedures. The company noted that this system represented the first excimer laser platform to be approved by the FDA in nearly two decades.
• In January 2024, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG secured clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser utilizing SMILE pro software. This approval enabled the company to offer surgically treated nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism, to patients in the United States. The system was engineered to improve workflow efficiency and patient comfort by creating a lenticule in less than 10 seconds, attributed to a faster laser pulse repetition rate. This launch signified a major expansion of the company's refractive laser portfolio in the U.S. market.

Key Market Players

• Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
• Ellex Medical Lasers Limited
• Abbott Medical Optics, Inc.
• Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
• Topcon Corporation
• IRIDEX Corporation
• Lumenis Be Ltd.
• Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG
• NIDEK Co., Ltd.

By Product	By Application	By End Use	By Region
Diode Lasers Femtosecond Lasers Excimer Lasers Nd:YAG Lasers SLT Lasers Others	Glaucoma Cataract Removal Refractive Error Correction Diabetic Retinopathy Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Others	Outpatient Facilities Inpatient Facilities	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Ophthalmic Lasers Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ophthalmic Lasers Market, By Product:

• Diode Lasers
• Femtosecond Lasers
• Excimer Lasers
• Nd:YAG Lasers
• SLT Lasers
• Others

• Ophthalmic Lasers Market, By Application:

• Glaucoma
• Cataract Removal
• Refractive Error Correction
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
• Others

• Ophthalmic Lasers Market, By End Use:

• Outpatient Facilities
• Inpatient Facilities

• Ophthalmic Lasers Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE