November 2024
The global contact lenses packaging market is on the horizon, with growth expected to reach hundreds of millions by 2034, revolutionizing the transportation landscape.
The contact lenses packaging market is likely to register impressive growth during the projected forecast period. A glass vial or a plastic and foil vacuum-packed blister pack is the two most common packaging options for the lenses. The content of the blister or vial is a saline solution that has a consistency identical to that of the human tears. The hydrophilic material of the lens absorbs up the saline solution. It's likely that most customers don't give the packing for their lenses much thought. The main package, however, that holds the lens itself, is important for guaranteeing both safety and hygienic conditions. The majority of customers are aware that eyes are quite sensitive and that infections can easily occur and hence demand for safe packaging options for their lenses.
The increasing prevalence of vision disorders such as myopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism along with the shift towards disposable contact lenses, including daily disposables is fueling the need for long-term medication adherence is expected to augment the growth of the contact lenses packaging market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales as well as the shifting consumer preferences towards aesthetically appealing and customizable packaging is also anticipated to augment the growth of the market. Additionally, the increasing awareness and emphasis on eye health and hygiene along with the rise of colored and cosmetic contact lenses are also projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the near future.
The increasing prevalence of vision-related disorders such as myopia and astigmatism across the globe is expected to fuel the growth of the contact lenses packaging market within the estimated timeframe. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in the United States, about one in three persons have astigmatism, a refractive defect that can coexist with either near- or farsightedness. As the cornea is not precisely shaped, it results in blurred vision. Globally, myopia is also becoming more common. In fact, research indicates that myopia may impact over half of the world's population by the year 2050. Over the past 50 years, the percentage of nearsighted Americans has almost doubled to 41.6 percent and ten percent of Americans over 40 have hyperopia, which amounts to over 14 million people.
This surge in the vision impairments is expected to increase the demand for vision correction options like contact lenses. Also, since consumers seek the alternatives to the traditional eyeglasses, the demand for the contact lenses, specifically corrective lenses, has grown considerably. Furthermore, companies in the sector are working on bringing more specialized lenses tailored to the specific vision issues. For instance
With the rising demand for contact lenses as well as the launch of new products, the need for advanced and safe packaging is also likely to increase. The packaging guarantees the sterility, protection along with the convenience of contact lenses, basically for daily disposables that require individual sterile blister packs. As contact lenses become an essential solution for vision, packaging manufacturers are expected to innovate to meet the growing needs of consumers.
The complications and health risks of wearing contact lenses are anticipated to impede the growth of the market within the estimated timeframe. While contact lenses can improve the vision, there are certain risks linked with it. Wearing contact lenses is associated with an increased risk of corneal irritation, or keratitis. When bacteria infiltrate the cornea, a form of keratitis known as microbial keratitis may develop. The microbial keratitis is a dangerous kind of infection that, in the worst circumstances, can result in the blindness and necessitate corneal transplantation. Contact lens-related problems that are frequently associated with contact lenses consist of corneal abrasion, giant papillary conjunctivitis, dry eyes, corneal infiltrates, contact lens-induced acute red eye (CLARE) and neovascularization. As a result, some consumers become more hesitant to use contact lenses. This shift in the consumer preference may lead to a decrease in demand for the contact lenses, reducing the need for contact lens packaging.
Additionally, the consumers might shift towards safer alternatives such as the eyeglasses as well as corrective surgeries like LASIK if complications become an important concern and reduce the need for contact lenses. Furthermore, disposable contact lenses are becoming increasingly popular eye care options. It's difficult to argue against their convenience, whether they are reusable or single-wear monthlies. Unfavourably there has been a visible environmental impact associated with the rising popularity of disposable contacts. Standard recycling centers cannot manage the recycling of contact lenses due to their tiny size as well as the kind of packaging materials they utilize. This means that the lens packing will probably end up in a landfill even if people are sorting the plastic from the foil and depositing the plastic in the recycling bins. Consequently, the environmental impact combined with the health-related concerns, creates a dual challenge that restrains the market growth.
The increasing product launches and recycling initiatives are projected to fuel the growth of the contact lenses packaging market in the years to come. The contact lens industry is witnessing a surge in the new product launches in the daily disposable and specialized lens segments such as toric lenses for astigmatism and multifocal lenses for presbyopia. For instance
Each new product introduction provides an opportunity for the packaging manufacturers to develop customized, user-friendly packaging options that improve the entire customer experience. This presents enormous growth prospects for the packaging industry. At the same time, increased environmental consciousness has resulted in the development of the recycling efforts targeted at minimizing the environmental impact of the contact lens and its packaging. Many companies are introducing take-back programs and collaborating with the recycling organizations to recycle unwanted contact lenses and packaging. For instance,
Packaging manufacturers are likely to benefit from this trend by inventing more recyclable materials. Companies that engage with these recycling activities can not only decrease their environmental impact but also attract the eco-conscious consumers and further drive the market growth while solving the sustainability issues.
The plastic segment held substantial market share in 2023. This is owing to the ability of plastic to maintain the sterility and safety of the lenses throughout the transportation and storage. Additionally, plastic packaging is durable as well as resistant to the moisture and contamination, essential factors for maintaining the quality and integrity of the contact lenses, predominantly for daily disposables that needs single-use, sterile packaging. Furthermore, plastic’s compatibility with high-speed manufacturing processes allows for mass production of blister packs and other packaging types, contributing to cost efficiencies for manufacturers. Although there is growing interest in the sustainable alternatives, recycling initiatives for plastic packaging and the development of eco-friendly plastic options have helped maintain the segment’s dominance in the years to come.
The daily disposable lenses segment held the largest market share in 2023. Based on numerous clinical studies, eye care specialists consider daily disposable contact lenses to be one of the most convenient and safest contact lens technologies. Daily contacts don’t pose a risk of infection to the eyes as they are worn for a single day. Proteins and allergens are less likely to cause deposits to accumulate in them. These may result in persistent inflammation and make it difficult to wear the lens. Also, daily contacts tend to be handy than monthly contacts as they don't need to be cleaned or stored. Another driving factor is the growing adoption of the contact lenses among new users, younger consumers and those with active lifestyles. These lenses are ideal for part-time wearers, as they do not need a long-term commitment or the use of the storage solutions. These factors are likely to fuel the segment's growth in the years to come.
North America held the largest market share in the world in 2023. This is due to the high adoption of contact lenses as well as increasing consumer focus towards eye-care. Furthermore, the presences of major players like Bausch + Lomb and Johnson & Johnson Vision and the continuous launch of innovative products. For instance, in May 2024, a non-prosthetic customized scleral contact lens technology called Zenlens Echo was launched in the United States by Bausch + Lomb. It is intended for patients with severe ocular disorder such as corneal degeneration and is suitable for a variety of fit needs. There is no need for further training or certification to utilize Zenlens Echo with technology that is already available in most practices, such as OCT scanning, slit lamp, profilometry or a Bi-Elevation fitting set. Furthermore, the growing environmental awareness has led to a demand for sustainable and recyclable packaging materials are also expected to contribute to the regional growth of the market.
Asia Pacific is likely to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is owing to the growing prevalence of vision disorders along with the increasing awareness about the importance of vision correction and regular eye check-ups across the region. According to the data by the World Health Organization, the Asia-Pacific region's high-income nations have the highest overall prevalence of myopia (53.4%), with East Asia coming in second (51.6%). However, estimations of the condition among teenagers living in Chinese and South Korean cities have shown percentages as high as 67 percent and 97 percent, respectively. Additionally, the growth of e-commerce is also anticipated to promote the growth of the market in the region in the near future. Furthermore, the shift towards more urban lifestyles along with the rising disposable income is also expected to support the regional growth of the market.
Some of the key players in contact lenses packaging market Constantia Flexibles, Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Amcon, Mpac Group plc., Wirthwein Medical GmbH & Co KG, I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A, Harro Höfliger Packaging Systems, Emenac Packaging, Lexxcontacts, and Jiangsu Longsheng Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials Co., Ltd., among others.
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November 2024
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November 2024
Asmita Singh is a distinguished author and consultant in the packaging industry, recognized for her unwavering passion for knowledge discovery and her commitment to providing actionable insights. She holds an MBA from the University of Mumbai and a degree in Packaging Engineering from the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), equipping her with a solid foundation in both business and technical aspects of packaging. With extensive experience in packaging consulting, Asmita has successfully implemented advanced research methodologies across various packaging categories, including flexible packaging, rigid packaging, sustainable packaging, and smart packaging. She generates high-quality data and delivers meaningful results that drive innovation and efficiency. Her expertise spans the globe, offering valuable consulting services to businesses seeking to enhance their packaging strategies. Asmitas work is characterized by a dedication to excellence and a keen understanding of the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of packaging.
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