The south korea ophthalmic devices market size was valued at USD 1.25 billion in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 1.34 billion in 2026 to reach USD 1.88 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 6.99% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This report is Segmented by Device Type (Diagnostic & Monitoring Devices, Surgical Devices, and Vision Care Devices), Disease Indication (Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Other Disease Indication), End User (Hospitals, and More), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, The Middle East and Africa, and South America). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).
Surgical devices remain smaller but strategic. Femtosecond cataract platforms lifted operating efficiency and opened new premium IOL niches. Vendors now pitch disposable phaco tips and mobile surgical microscopes to ambulatory centres, a model suited to the South Korea ophthalmic devices market where outpatient cataract volumes are rising. Cross-licensing with Korean sensor makers shields multinationals from currency risk and qualifies them for preference points in public tenders.
South Korea Ophthalmic Devices Market Trends and Insights
Rapid Adoption of Premium IOLs Among the Aging Population
Multifocal optics reshaped cataract workflows, climbing from 16% usage in 2018 to 29% in 2020 and seizing 53.56% of the domestic IOL segment in 2023. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery expanded from 5% to 29% of cases over the same period, aided by 96% penetration of optical biometry. RxSight’s Light Adjustable Lens delivered unaided 20/20 vision to 70% of recipients versus 40% with other premium alternatives, bolstering surgeon uptake.Government Reimbursement Expansion for Nationwide Glaucoma Screening
New National Health Insurance rules cover wide-field OCT angiography, which shows 87.28% sensitivity and 86.94% specificity for glaucoma diagnosis compared with legacy OCT units. The initiative tackles disparities across 20 counties lacking any eye clinic, shrinking average travel time to specialised diagnostics.Stringent MFDS Approval Timelines
AI-enabled scanners and new lens polymers fall into Class 3-4 risk categories. The Digital Medical Products Act of January 2024 demands extra cybersecurity validation, stretching launch cycles and raising documentation costs.Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
- High LASIK Penetration Driven by Cosmetic-Surgery Culture
- Surging Myopia Incidence in Adolescents
- Foreign-Exchange Cost Volatility
Segment Analysis
Vision-care products controlled 60.12% of 2025 revenues as contact lenses served both corrective and cosmetic roles. The South Korea ophthalmic devices market continues to rely on repeat purchases of lens solutions, ortho-k modalities, and color tints. Diagnostic and monitoring systems post the quickest 9.08% CAGR. Their addressable value rises from USD 245.4 million in 2026 to an expected USD 379.3 million in 2031, anchoring future South Korea ophthalmic devices market size gains. Hospitals negotiate multi-year service contracts that bundle OCT hardware with AI subscription analytics, locking in predictable revenue for suppliers.Surgical devices remain smaller but strategic. Femtosecond cataract platforms lifted operating efficiency and opened new premium IOL niches. Vendors now pitch disposable phaco tips and mobile surgical microscopes to ambulatory centres, a model suited to the South Korea ophthalmic devices market where outpatient cataract volumes are rising. Cross-licensing with Korean sensor makers shields multinationals from currency risk and qualifies them for preference points in public tenders.
Complete Report Scope:
- By Device Type
- Diagnostic & Monitoring Devices
- OCT Scanners
- Fundus & Retinal Cameras
- Autorefractors & Keratometers
- Corneal Topography Systems
- Ultrasound Imaging Systems
- Perimeters & Tonometers
- Other Diagnostic & Monitoring Devices
- Surgical Devices
- Cataract Surgical Devices
- Vitreoretinal Surgical Devices
- Refreactive Surgical Devices
- Glaucoma Surgical Devices
- Other Surgical Devices
- Vision Care Devices
- Spectacles Frames & Lenses
- Contact Lenses
- Diagnostic & Monitoring Devices
- By Disease Indication
- Cataract
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Other Disease Indications
- By End-user
- Hospitals
- Specialty Ophthalmic Clinics
- Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)
- Other End-users
List of Companies Covered in this Report:
- Alcon
- Carl Zeiss
- Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
- HOYA
- Topcon
- Nidek
- Bausch Health
- Glaukos
- STAAR Surgical
- HAAG-Streit
- Canon
- EssilorLuxottica
- CooperVision Inc.
- Menicon Co. Ltd.
Additional Benefits:
- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
4 Market Landscape
5 Market Size & Growth Forecasts (Value, USD)
6 Competitive Landscape
7 Market Opportunities & Future Outlook
Companies Mentioned (Partial List)
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
- Alcon Inc.
- Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
- Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
- Hoya Corporation
- Topcon Corporation
- Nidek Co. Ltd
- Bausch & Lomb Inc.
- Glaukos Corporation
- STAAR Surgical Company
- Haag-Streit Group
- Canon Medical Systems Corp.
- EssilorLuxottica SA
- CooperVision Inc.
- Menicon Co. Ltd.
