Visual Impairment Market Report 2025

The visual impairment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.06 billion in 2024 to $4.34 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth during the historical period is driven by the increasing occurrence of age-related eye disorders, a rise in diabetic retinopathy cases among older adults, escalating rates of glaucoma and macular degeneration worldwide, expanded adoption of vision screening initiatives in schools, and a higher incidence of occupational eye injuries in industrial settings.

The visual impairment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.6 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The projected growth during the forecast period is driven by an expanding elderly population at risk of vision decline, increasing demand for low-vision electronic aids, rising healthcare investments in emerging markets, growing prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents, and greater availability of wearable vision enhancement devices. Key trends expected include the development of multilingual voice assistants, mobile navigation applications, integration of haptic feedback systems, incorporation of machine learning algorithms, and innovation in voice-activated technologies.

The increasing prevalence of diabetes is expected to drive the growth of the visual impairment market moving forward. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder marked by elevated blood glucose levels caused by problems with insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. This rise in diabetes cases is largely attributed to unhealthy lifestyles, including poor diet, lack of physical activity, and increased stress, all of which contribute to obesity and insulin resistance. Visual impairment often signals early diabetes-related complications, allowing for timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent further health issues. Conditions like diabetic retinopathy frequently develop before other obvious symptoms, enabling earlier medical intervention and improved disease management. For example, in April 2023, Diabetes UK, a British diabetes association, reported that 4.3 million people in the UK were living with diagnosed diabetes, an increase of nearly 149,000 from the previous year. Additionally, more than 2.4 million people in the UK are currently identified as at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Consequently, the rising incidence of diabetes is boosting the visual impairment market.

Key players in the visual impairment market are focusing on creating innovative products such as artificial intelligence-powered assistive reading devices to improve reading accessibility and promote independence for visually impaired users. These AI-driven assistive reading devices utilize technologies like text recognition and speech synthesis to read printed or digital text aloud for users with vision loss. For instance, in August 2023, OrCam Technologies Ltd., an Israeli assistive technology company, introduced the OrCam Read 3, a multifunctional device designed to aid people with vision loss or reading fatigue. This device instantly reads printed, handwritten, and digital text aloud, identifies faces, and scans barcodes, offering users increased independence. It also functions as a smart magnifier and stationary reader, featuring capabilities such as text summarization, smart navigation, and hands-free use to provide a smooth and comprehensive reading experience.

In September 2022, American Thermoform Corporation, a US-based manufacturer of products for the visually impaired, acquired Zychem Limited for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, American Thermoform aims to strengthen its position in the industry, enhance its capacity to deliver products and services, and expand its portfolio of companies serving the blind and visually impaired community. Zychem Limited is a UK-based company specializing in innovative tactile graphics for the blind and visually impaired, as well as manufacturing assistive products for this population.

Major players in the visual impairment market are Eschenbach Optik GmbH, OrCam Technologies Ltd., NV Access Limited, Vispero Holdings Inc., HumanWare Group Inc., Freedom Scientific Inc., Aira Tech Corp., Enhanced Vision Systems Inc., MeiraGTx Holdings plc, Dolphin Computer Access Ltd., IrisVision Global Inc., Zoomax Technology Co. Limited, Ablenet Inc., HIMS Inc., Sight and Sound Technology, Bionic Vision Technologies Pty Ltd, Optelec U.S. Inc., Pixium-Vision, Low Vision International AB, and Envision Technologies B.V.

North America was the largest region in the visual impairment market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in visual impairment report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the visual impairment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The visual impairment market consists of sales of portable electronic magnifiers, screen readers, braille displays, smart glasses for low vision, and voice-controlled assistive devices. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the consequent trade frictions in spring 2025 are severely impacting the healthcare sector, particularly in the supply of critical medical devices, diagnostic equipment, and pharmaceuticals. Hospitals and healthcare providers are facing higher costs for imported surgical instruments, imaging equipment, and consumables such as syringes and catheters, many of which have limited domestic alternatives. These increased costs are straining healthcare budgets, leading some providers to delay equipment upgrades or pass on expenses to patients. Additionally, tariffs on raw materials and components are disrupting the production of essential drugs and devices, causing supply chain bottlenecks. In response, the industry is diversifying sourcing strategies, boosting local manufacturing where possible, and advocating for tariff exemptions on life-saving medical products.

The visual impairment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides visual impairment market statistics, including visual impairment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with visual impairment market share, detailed visual impairment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the visual impairment industry. The visual impairment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Visual impairment refers to a considerable loss of vision that cannot be fully corrected with glasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. It encompasses a range of conditions from partial sight loss to total blindness, impacting an individual’s ability to carry out daily activities.

The primary categories of visual impairment aids include educational devices and software, mobility aids, low vision devices, and others. Educational devices and software, such as screen readers, braille displays, and accessible learning platforms, help students with low vision or blindness access academic materials and participate effectively in both classroom and remote learning environments. These products are classified into assistive technologies, optical devices, non-optical devices, and more. They serve multiple applications including blind schools, enterprises, social organizations, personal use, hospitals, and others, and are distributed through various channels such as online retailers, specialty stores, retail pharmacies, and more.

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values and are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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