Japan Myopia Control Lenses Market: by Product Type; Lens Type; Material; Age Group; Sales Channel - Market Size, Industry Dynamics, Opportunity Analysis and Forecast for 2025-2033

The Japan myopia control lenses market is entering a phase of accelerated growth, with market value forecast to rise from US$ 123.16 million in 2024 to US$ 422.09 million by 2033, reflecting a strong CAGR of 15.21% over the forecast period. Expansion is fueled by the rising incidence of pediatric myopia, increasing preference for evidence-based optical solutions, and deeper integration of digital diagnostics within eye care services.

Growing screen exposure among children, coupled with sedentary post-pandemic habits, has intensified concern around long-term vision health. Metropolitan areas such as Tokyo and Osaka are reporting record-high myopia prevalence among school-aged children, prompting parents and practitioners to adopt advanced lens technologies including multifocal, orthokeratology, and dual-focus designs. Products such as Hoya’s MiYOSMART and Zeiss MyoKids are gaining widespread recognition through national awareness campaigns and school-based vision initiatives. At the same time, Japan’s aging population is supporting ancillary demand for presbyopia solutions that also address myopia management within multi-generational households.

Noteworthy Market Developments

Rapid adoption of AI-enabled diagnostic platforms is transforming how myopia progression is evaluated and managed across Japan. Digital tools such as MyEyeTracker - now used by more than 3.2 million individuals - allow real-time monitoring of children’s visual health by parents and clinicians. Approximately 18% of pediatric-focused optometry clinics currently offer myopia-specific lens solutions, marking a 40% increase over the past three years.

Retail and service innovation is also improving accessibility. Vision care networks including Vision Next and Sugita Hospital have launched structured “myopia prevention programs,” bundling routine eye examinations with prescription lenses and ongoing progression tracking. Nevertheless, disparities remain, with rural regions lagging due to affordability concerns and limited awareness.

Public initiatives such as the 2025 Child Vision Initiative are beginning to address these gaps by subsidizing optometry services in underserved regions and promoting early diagnosis. However, only 6 of Japan’s 47 prefectures currently provide reimbursement for myopia control lenses for children under 18, underscoring a significant policy limitation.

Core Growth Drivers

• Escalating Myopia Prevalence in Children: With 92% of junior high students in urban areas affected, demand for early-stage intervention continues to surge.
• Increased Screen Time Post-Pandemic: Prolonged digital exposure is accelerating axial elongation, with 60% of parents reporting a threefold rise in screen usage.
• Technological Advancements in Lens Design: Manufacturers are introducing Japan-specific defocus profiles to address higher myopia severity.
• Healthcare Digitization: AI-assisted diagnostics and app-based monitoring tools are improving prescription accuracy and treatment adherence.
• School-Based Vision Programs: Annual public-school screenings enable early detection and sustained pediatric lens demand.
• Urban-Driven Consumer Awareness: High engagement in metropolitan regions supports rapid uptake and premium pricing for advanced lens solutions.

Emerging Technology Trends

A key trend shaping the Japan myopia control lenses market is the rising adoption of overnight orthokeratology (Ortho-K) lenses, which temporarily reshape the cornea during sleep. These lenses are particularly popular in the Kanto and Kansai regions, where access to specialized care and higher academic awareness support faster adoption.

Next-generation Ortho-K lenses incorporate advanced materials that enhance oxygen permeability and reduce corneal irritation, improving suitability for pediatric use. Supported by clinical research and hospital data, Ortho-K has become a central element of myopia control strategies due to its non-surgical and reversible nature. Usage among students in Tokyo’s metropolitan area is expanding most rapidly, driven by demand for daytime vision correction without eyewear. Continued innovation in coating technology and material science is expected to further enhance safety, comfort, and long-term adoption.

Barriers to Optimization

Japan’s reliance on imported contact lenses remains a key structural challenge, particularly for advanced myopia control designs. In 2023, lens imports reached US$ 1.37 billion, while exports totaled only US$ 43.8 million, exposing the market to supply-side imbalance. Global supply disruptions - most notably during the COVID-19 period - have resulted in delivery delays and cost volatility, especially for specialized products not manufactured domestically.

Reimbursement limitations further constrain market penetration. Only 6 prefectures currently subsidize myopia control lenses for minors, leaving families to absorb monthly costs ranging from ¥12,000 to ¥20,000. Additionally, a 34% shortage of trained optometrists, particularly outside major cities, restricts prescription scalability. Parental awareness also remains uneven, with 40% of parents uncertain about the benefits of control lenses, highlighting the need for broader education initiatives.

Detailed Market Segmentation

Market Segment Analysis

Spectacle lenses lead the market with a 56.25% share, offering a convenient and low-maintenance option for managing pediatric myopia progression. Peripheral defocus technologies embedded in these lenses have gained strong acceptance, with products such as Hoya MiYOSMART widely trusted due to clinical validation and broad retail availability.

By lens design, multifocal lenses account for 44.81% of market share, favored for their ability to reduce accommodative stress while supporting multi-distance vision. Their relevance is particularly strong in digitally intensive environments such as Japan, where prolonged near-work accelerates myopia development.

From a material standpoint, soft contact lenses - including silicone hydrogel and hydrogel variants - dominate with a 47.45% share, driven by superior comfort, breathability, and suitability for extended wear. These lenses are actively promoted through e-commerce platforms and clinical channels for both corrective and control applications.

Children constitute the primary consumer segment, accounting for 78.63% of total demand. School screenings, heightened parental vigilance, and pediatric-focused product design reinforce children as the core growth engine of the market.

Market Segmentation

By Product Type

• Spectacle Lenses
• Contact Lenses

By Lens Type

• Multifocal Lens
• Orthokeratology Lens
• Dual Focus Lens
• Peripheral Defocus Lenses

By Material

• Soft Contact Lenses (Silicone Hydrogel, Hydrogel)
• Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) Lenses
• Polycarbonate & High-Index Plastic (for Spectacle Lenses)

By Age Group

• Children
• Adults

By Sales Channel

• Eyeglass Clinic
• Eyewear Retailers
• Online Retail

Geographic Insights

Region Segment Analysis

Japan’s myopia control lenses market exhibits pronounced urban-rural contrasts. Major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka account for the majority of demand, with approximately 70% of parents actively seeking intervention for their children. Urban clinics are equipped with AI-based diagnostics and frequently offer bundled care programs that integrate screening, prescription, and progression monitoring.

In contrast, rural regions report significantly lower adoption, with only 35% of parents expressing awareness or intent to use control lenses. Barriers include cost sensitivity and limited access to specialized optometry services. Government-led programs such as the Child Vision Initiative are beginning to close this gap through targeted subsidies and infrastructure support in select prefectures.

Healthcare providers including Sugita Hospital are expanding into secondary cities, while mobile clinics and tele-optometry platforms are emerging as effective outreach tools. However, broader reimbursement coverage and cross-sector collaboration will be essential to achieving equitable nationwide access.

Leading Market Participants

• Essilor International
• Johnson & Johnson Vision
• Bausch + Lomb
• Menicon Co., Ltd.
• Alcon (Novartis)
• Tokai Optical Co., Ltd.
• Alpha Corporation Inc.
• SEED Co., Ltd.
• CooperVision
• Hoya Corporation
• Zeiss Group
• Other Prominent Players

These companies continue to drive market growth through innovation in lens design, pediatric-focused portfolios, localized distribution strategies, and educational partnerships with clinics and schools.