GLAUCOMA THERAPEUTICS MARKET ANALYSIS

Glaucoma refers to the group of conditions characterized by optic nerve damage, visual field loss, and secondary to retinal ganglion cell damage, which may lead to death. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness: 2017, glaucoma is second leading cause of blindness and leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The most common types of glaucoma are Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) and Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG). Moreover, PACG is most common in South-East Asian population while POAG is most common in white Caucasians and individuals of African origin. PACG is associated with a high risk of blindness as compared to POAG.

Glaucoma Therapeutics Market Drivers

Increasing number of patients with glaucoma and increasing incidences of blindness are expected to be the major driving factor for growth of the global glaucoma therapeutics market. According to the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, 2010 data findings, it is estimated that by 2020, around 80 million people will suffer from glaucoma, with an increase of about 20 million form 2010. Furthermore, in 2010, over 8 million people were bilaterally blind due to glaucoma, which is expected to increase to over 11 million by 2020. The significant risk of developing glaucoma increases with geriatric population, increased intraocular pressure, positive family history for glaucoma, and ethnicity. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), 2016: the global prevalence of glaucoma is estimated to rise to 76 million in 2020 and 111.8 million in 2040.

Glaucoma may occur among the people with or without diabetes. Moreover, people with diabetic retinopathy have an increased risk of glaucoma. The condition is associated with abnormal blood vessel growth, which can result in retinopathy and leads to blockage of natural drainage of the eye. Rapidly increasing geriatric population is one of the important factors for increasing prevalence of glaucoma, which in turn is projected to drive growth of the glaucoma therapeutics market in near future. For instance, according to the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) 2017 statistics, the number of people with diabetes aged between 20 to 79 years are increasing worldwide. Among which, Africa (156%) is accounted to register the highest diabetic population, followed by Middle East (110%), South East Asia (84%), Latin and Central America(62%), North America (35%), Europe (16%), and Western Pacific (15%).

Glaucoma Therapeutics Market - Regional Analysis

On the basis of region, glaucoma therapeutics market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa. North America holds dominant position in glaucoma therapeutics market, followed by Asia Pacific. Increasing prevalence of diabetes, increasing ocular disorders, and increasing number of blind and visually impaired people in turn opting for glaucoma treatment are expected to drive growth of the glaucoma therapeutic market in these region. For instance, According to National Federation of the Blind, 2014, an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. are blind or visually impaired. It is estimated that around 1.3 million people are legally blind in the U.S. and the number is projected to increase to 75,000 people annually in the U.S.

Asia Pacific is expected to gain a significant traction over the forecast period, owing to the government initiatives and awareness programs to eliminate the blindness, which in turn is propelling demand for glaucoma therapies in this region. For instance, in 2014, HelpAge India—a nonprofit organization—launched a special campaign to address the issue of blindness for underprivileged elderly populations of India.

However, strict regulations concerning marketing and approvals and the side effects of glaucoma medications are expected to hinder growth of the glaucoma therapeutic market in near future. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, 2017 data findings, in the U.S. use of alternative medicines for the treatment of glaucoma has increased 10% to 15% in the past ten years. Furthermore, according to the same source, 50% of the glaucoma patients in the U.S. use some form of alternative therapy in 2017.

Glaucoma Therapeutics Market Competitive Landscape

Some of the key players operating in the glaucoma therapeutics market include Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Allergan Inc., Merck KGaA, Fera Pharmaceuticals, LLC, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Pfizer Inc., Aristo Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Aerie Pharmaceuticals, and Novartis AG. Key players in the market are focusing on organic growth strategies in order to gain maximum market share and retain leading position in the market. For instance, in December 2017, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc. received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for Rhopressa (netarsudil ophthalmic solution) 0.02%, indicated for lowering of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

Glaucoma Therapeutics Market Taxonomy:

By Disease Type

• Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG)
• Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma (PACG)

By Drug Class:

• Alpha adrenergic Agonist
• Beta Blockers
• Prostaglandin Analogs
• Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor
• Cholinergic
• Combined Medication
• Fixed-dose Combinations

By End Users:

• Hospitals
• Ophthalmic Clinics
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Others

By Geography:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East
• Africa