Global Ophthalmic Clinical Trials Market Size Grows at a CAGR of 6.61%

Introduction

Straits Research released its highly anticipated report, “Global Ophthalmic Clinical Trials Market Size & Outlook, 2026-2034”. According to the study, the market size is valued at USD 1.79 billion in 2025 and is projected to expand to USD 3.18 billion by 2034, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.61%.

Market Dynamics

The growth of the global ophthalmic clinical trials market is strongly driven by the increasing prevalence of ophthalmic disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eye disease, coupled with the rising aging population worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2.2 billion people globally suffer from some form of vision impairment, underscoring the growing need for effective therapeutic interventions and robust clinical research. Furthermore, advancements in ophthalmic imaging technologies, digital trial monitoring, and biomarker-based patient stratification are accelerating the efficiency and accuracy of ophthalmic trials, thereby fostering market expansion.

However, the market faces restraints such as the high operational costs and complexities associated with ophthalmic trials, mainly in recruiting and retaining patients due to the need for long-term follow-ups and precise visual function measurements. On the other hand, the growing focus on gene therapy, cell-based therapeutics, and regenerative medicine for ocular diseases presents a major opportunity for the ophthalmic clinical trials market. The rapid development of novel modalities targeting rare and inherited retinal disorders supported by favorable regulatory designations like Orphan Drug and Fast Track approvals is expected to expand the pipeline of ophthalmic candidates.

Market Highlights

• Phase: The clinical phase segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 71.69% in 2025.
• Therapeutic Modality: The devices segment is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.27% during the forecast period.
• Indication: The cataract & refractive segment dominated the market in 2025 with a revenue share of 23.85%.
• Sponsor Type: The others segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 7.03%, owing to growing clinical trials conducted by CROs and academic institutes.
• Regional Insights: North America dominated the market, accounting for more than 40% of market share in 2025, owing to the rise in the prevalence of eye diseases.

Competitive Players

1. IQVIA
2. Apellis Pharmaceuticals
3. Carl Zeiss Meditec
4. Charles River Laboratories
5. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
6. GenSight Biologics
7. ICON plc
8. Iris Pharma
9. Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.
10. Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings
11. Medpace
12. Novartis AG
13. Novotech
14. Parexel
15. ProTrials Research, Inc.
16. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
17. Santen Pharmaceutical
18. Syneos Health
19. TFS HealthScience
20. Others

Recent Developments

Segmentation

1. By Phase (2026-2034)
   1. Discovery Phase
   2. Preclinical Phase
   3. Clinical Phase
      1. Phase I
      2. Phase II
      3. Phase III
      4. Phase IV
2. By Therapeutic Modality (2026-2034)
   1. Drugs
      1. Small molecules
      2. Biologics
      3. Cell & Gene Therapies
   2. Devices
      1. Surgical & Diagnostics Devices
      2. Vision Care Devices
   3. Others
3. By Indication (2026-2034)
   1. Glaucoma
   2. Macular Degeneration
   3. Dry Eye Disease
   4. Cataract & refractive
   5. Uveitis
   6. Retinopathy
   7. Others
4. By Sponsor Type (2026-2034)
   1. Pharmaceutical & Biopharma Companies
   2. Medical Device Companies
   3. Others