Global Scleral Lens Market to Reach US$534.5 Million by 2030

The global market for Scleral Lens estimated at US$308.5 Million in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$534.5 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.6% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Corneo-Scleral Lenses, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 7.9% CAGR and reach US$201.1 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Semi-Scleral Lenses segment is estimated at 11.5% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$84.0 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 12.8% CAGR

The Scleral Lens market in the U.S. is estimated at US$84.0 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$107.0 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 12.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% and 8.3% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 7.5% CAGR.

Global Scleral Lens Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Are Scleral Lenses Gaining Attention Among Specialty Eye Care Solutions?
Scleral lenses are emerging as a prominent solution in specialty ophthalmic care due to their unique ability to address complex corneal conditions and vision impairments uncorrectable by standard contact lenses. Unlike traditional lenses that rest on the cornea, scleral lenses vault over the corneal surface and rest on the sclera, creating a tear-filled reservoir between the lens and the eye. This design makes them especially suitable for patients with keratoconus, corneal ectasia, irregular astigmatism, post-surgical corneal scars, and dry eye syndromes.

These lenses are gaining traction in optometry and ophthalmology practices worldwide as practitioners increasingly adopt individualized approaches to vision correction. The growing number of patients undergoing refractive surgeries, such as LASIK or PRK, has led to a rise in post-surgical irregular corneas that require specialty lens fitting. Additionally, as awareness of non-surgical solutions for chronic dry eye, limbal stem cell deficiency, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome grows, scleral lenses are being prescribed more frequently as therapeutic devices that simultaneously offer optical correction and ocular surface protection. This dual utility is driving their adoption not only among vision-impaired patients but also among ocular surface disease specialists.

What Technological and Material Advances Are Enhancing Scleral Lens Performance?
Significant strides in lens design software, materials science, and diagnostic imaging are improving the fit, comfort, and effectiveness of scleral lenses. Modern computer-aided design (CAD) tools allow practitioners to generate customized lens profiles based on precise anterior segment topography. This precision ensures optimal lens alignment with the scleral surface, minimizing pressure points and enhancing wearability. Scleral lenses are now available in a wide range of diameters and haptic geometries, including toric, quadrant-specific, and freeform designs that accommodate highly irregular ocular anatomy.

Material innovations have also been central to market growth. Contemporary gas-permeable materials with high oxygen permeability (Dk values) enable long-term wear while minimizing the risk of hypoxia-related complications. Some lenses incorporate anti-fogging coatings, plasma treatment, and surface wetting agents to improve clarity and hydrophilicity. Moreover, the development of impression-based scleral lenses-crafted using 3D ocular impressions rather than relying solely on topographic data-has elevated precision in complex fittings, especially for patients with conjunctival scarring or asymmetry. These technology-driven enhancements are significantly improving patient retention rates, therapeutic outcomes, and practitioner confidence in recommending scleral lenses as primary or secondary corrective solutions.

Which Patient Demographics and Practice Settings Are Driving Adoption of Scleral Lenses?
Scleral lenses are no longer confined to tertiary eye care centers; they are increasingly becoming part of mainstream optometric practice. Patients with keratoconus-particularly in their late teens to early thirties-comprise a major consumer segment, as early diagnosis and intervention have become more common due to improved screening protocols and corneal tomography access. Additionally, middle-aged adults with post-refractive surgery complications, including ectasia and corneal haze, are turning to scleral lenses after exhausting soft lens or spectacle options.

The aging population, which is more susceptible to ocular surface diseases like Sjögren’s Syndrome, graft-versus-host disease, and limbal stem cell deficiency, is also expanding the demand base. Specialty clinics focusing on ocular surface disease management, as well as vision rehabilitation centers, are actively incorporating scleral lenses into their treatment plans. Geographically, North America leads in both prescriptions and product availability, followed by Western Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific. In developing markets, adoption is still limited by practitioner training gaps and higher product costs, but medical tourism and global awareness campaigns are slowly bridging the access divide.

What Factors Are Propelling the Growth of the Scleral Lens Market Globally?
The growth in the scleral lens market is driven by several factors, including rising prevalence of corneal disorders, increasing practitioner training, and expanding awareness of specialty lens applications. The global burden of keratoconus, once underdiagnosed, is now being more frequently detected thanks to advancements in corneal imaging and genetic testing. Simultaneously, patient dissatisfaction with traditional rigid gas-permeable lenses due to discomfort and poor centration is prompting a transition to scleral lens alternatives that offer superior stability and visual acuity.

Enhanced reimbursement policies and recognition of scleral lenses as medically necessary devices in many healthcare systems are making treatments more financially accessible. Organizations such as the Scleral Lens Education Society (SLS) and international optometry boards are training more practitioners in lens fitting, contributing to greater market penetration. The rise of myopia management clinics and post-refractive care centers is further boosting adoption. Moreover, the integration of tele-optometry and digital fitting tools is streamlining patient evaluations and improving clinical outcomes. Collectively, these drivers are positioning scleral lenses as a key frontier in the future of personalized eye care.