United States Veterinary Eye Care Market By Type (Eye Care Products, Eye Care Services), By Indication (Ocular Surface Disorders, Glaucoma, Cataract, Infectious Diseases, Other Indications), By Application (Dog, Cat, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 89.14 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	3.98%
Fastest Growing Segment	Cataract
Largest Market	West
Market Size (2031)	USD 112.66 Million

Market Overview

The United States Veterinary Eye Care Market will grow from USD 89.14 Million in 2025 to USD 112.66 Million by 2031 at a 3.98% CAGR. The United States Veterinary Eye Care Market comprises the diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical sector dedicated to managing ocular health in animals. This industry encompasses specialized equipment and pharmaceuticals used by professionals to treat conditions such as glaucoma and corneal ulcers. Market expansion is primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of ophthalmic disorders associated with aging resulting from longer pet life expectancies. Furthermore, the strengthening human-animal bond encourages owners to fund advanced medical interventions, thereby fueling the demand for specialized treatments.

Nevertheless, the sector faces a significant challenge regarding the shortage of board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists which restricts patient access to care. This workforce constraint is severe relative to the massive addressable patient base that requires specialized attention. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in 2024, the estimated population of pet dogs in the United States reached 89.7 million. This substantial volume of animals underscores the pressure on the limited number of eye care specialists available to manage complex cases.

Key Market Drivers

Rising pet ownership and humanization trends significantly propel the United States Veterinary Eye Care Market. Owners increasingly view pets as family and invest in specialized ophthalmology services to ensure quality of life. This demographic expansion widens the client base for veterinary professionals. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, October 2025, in the 'Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook', the estimated population of pet cats in the United States reached 76.3 million. This growing volume creates a vast addressable market for managing ocular issues. Furthermore, financial commitment to animal welfare has surged. According to the American Pet Products Association, March 2025, in the 'State of the Industry Report', total pet industry expenditures in the United States reached $152 billion for 2024. This robust spending capability supports the uptake of advanced eye treatments.

The expansion of pet insurance coverage further bolsters the market by alleviating the financial burden of expensive ophthalmic procedures. Complex surgeries like phacoemulsification for cataracts are often cost-prohibitive without reimbursement. As coverage becomes widespread veterinary ophthalmologists can recommend necessary interventions with higher client acceptance. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, April 2025, in the 'State of the Industry Report', the total written premium volume for pet insurance in the United States reached approximately $4.7 billion for 2024. This insurance growth ensures that a larger segment of the client base can afford premium diagnostic eye care options and drives revenue for specialty clinics.

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Key Market Challenges

The shortage of board-certified veterinary ophthalmologists constitutes a severe operational bottleneck that directly restricts revenue generation within the United States Veterinary Eye Care Market. Although the demand for advanced ocular procedures such as cataract surgery and glaucoma management is rising, the market’s capacity to deliver these services is physically limited by the scarce workforce. This disparity creates a ceiling on the volume of specialized treatments that can be performed annually, causing significant delays in patient care and forcing many cases to remain undiagnosed or managed with less effective generalist therapies.

Consequently, the inability to scale service delivery hampers the widespread adoption of specialized diagnostic equipment and pharmaceuticals. The magnitude of this workforce constraint is evident in recent industry figures. According to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, in September 2024, the total number of board-certified diplomates reached only 619 professionals. This extremely low concentration of specialists relative to the vast animal population results in extensive wait times and geographic accessibility issues, thereby preventing the market from realizing its full growth potential.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Ocular Diagnostics is rapidly reshaping the United States Veterinary Eye Care Market by enhancing diagnostic precision and workflow efficiency. As clinics face high patient volumes, practitioners are increasingly adopting AI-enhanced imaging systems and cloud-based software to streamline the detection of ocular pathologies such as retinal detachment or retrobulbar masses. This technological shift facilitates faster decision-making and allows general practitioners to consult with specialists more effectively through digital platforms, directly improving case management outcomes. According to IDEXX Laboratories, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter Results', revenues for veterinary software, services, and diagnostic imaging systems increased by 11% on a reported basis, underscoring the robust demand for automated and interconnected diagnostic solutions within the veterinary healthcare landscape.

Simultaneously, the Expansion of Specialty Veterinary Ophthalmology Referral Centers is serving as a vital mechanism to centralize advanced care and mitigate local service gaps. Large corporate veterinary groups are consolidating resources to establish hubs capable of performing complex interventions like phacoemulsification and corneal grafting, which require distinct expertise and equipment not available in primary care settings. This consolidation enables the execution of large-scale clinical trials and the standardization of advanced treatment protocols across multiple regions, effectively creating a tiered care model. According to Mars Veterinary Health, April 2025, in the 'Science Impact Report', the organization's network conducted prospective clinical studies at more than 140 locations, demonstrating the expanding infrastructure and capability of specialized facilities to drive medical innovation and manage sophisticated caseloads.

Segmental Insights

The Cataract segment represents the most rapidly expanding category within the United States veterinary eye care market, primarily driven by the aging companion animal population and the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus in dogs. This demographic shift has necessitated a higher frequency of corrective surgeries such as phacoemulsification to prevent permanent blindness. Consequently, pet owners are increasingly utilizing specialist services to manage these ocular issues. This growing clinical demand aligns with the standards of care promoted by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists regarding early diagnosis and surgical management.

Regional Insights

The West United States holds the leading position in the United States veterinary eye care market due to a high density of pet ownership and a well-established infrastructure of specialty referral centers. This dominance is supported by a significant concentration of specialists certified by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, particularly in key states like California. Furthermore, high disposable income levels in the region enable pet owners to fund essential ophthalmic surgeries and treatments. This accessibility to specialized diagnostics and care ensures the West remains the primary contributor to industry revenue.

Recent Developments

• In February 2025, Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Tulathromycin Injection, a generic injectable solution indicated for use in cattle and swine. The approval included specific indications for the treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), commonly known as pinkeye, associated with Moraxella bovis in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. This regulatory milestone provided veterinarians and livestock producers with an additional therapeutic option for managing common ocular infections in production animals.
• In November 2024, Dômes Pharma Group officially renamed its United States subsidiary, formerly known as SentrX Animal Care, to Dômes Pharma, Inc. as part of a strategic corporate rebranding. Alongside this development, the company acquired the NeoPolyBac veterinary label, a triple antibiotic ophthalmic ointment widely used for treating bacterial eye infections in animals. This acquisition significantly strengthened the company's position in the veterinary ophthalmology market by adding a well-established therapeutic product to its portfolio, complementing its existing range of ocular health solutions.
• In July 2024, VetRxDirect, a pet pharmacy service, established a partnership with Epicur Pharma to expand its portfolio of veterinary medications. Through this collaboration, the company began offering a range of 503B manufactured ophthalmic drugs directly to veterinary practices and pet owners. This development provided access to high-quality, standardized ophthalmic treatments, including cyclosporine and tacrolimus formulations, which are verified for stability and sterility. The partnership aimed to improve the availability and reliability of essential eye care medications for pets across the United States.
• In April 2024, Millpledge Veterinary announced the launch of a novel ocular lubricant designed to support the eye health of various animal species, including dogs, cats, horses, and rabbits. This new addition to the company's veterinary portfolio was formulated to assist in the management of conditions requiring additional moisture or lubrication on the ocular surface. The product features a pH-neutral composition with natural active ingredients such as glycerin, aloe vera, chamomile, and propolis extract. This launch addressed the need for effective management of corneal dryness and irritation in veterinary patients.

Key Market Players

• Reichert, Inc
• Innovacyn, Inc.
• Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc.
• Merck Animal Health USA
• Zoetis Services LLC
• Dechra Pharmaceuticals Products
• Sandoz US Inc.
• Ceva Animal Health, LLC
• Alcon Management S. A
• IRIDEX Corporation

By Type	By Indication	By Application	By Region
Eye Care Products Eye Care Services	Ocular Surface Disorders Glaucoma Cataract Infectious Diseases Other Indications	Dog Cat Others	Northeast Midwest South West

Report Scope:

In this report, the United States Veterinary Eye Care Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• United States Veterinary Eye Care Market, By Type:

• Eye Care Products
• Eye Care Services

• United States Veterinary Eye Care Market, By Indication:

• Ocular Surface Disorders
• Glaucoma
• Cataract
• Infectious Diseases
• Other Indications

• United States Veterinary Eye Care Market, By Application:

• Dog
• Cat
• Others

• United States Veterinary Eye Care Market, By Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West