India is beginning to be the largest market for ophthalmic diseases and disorders like cataract, retinal complaints and glaucoma, according to ophthalmic care majors.
 
The country accounts for 30 per cent of the world’s blind population. Higher life expectancy of 70 years in 2016 in India can increase the incidence of cataracts, retinal blindness and glaucoma, according to experts.
 
In its 2016 India Ophthalmic Market Report: MarketScope, stated, over 180 companies compete in India’s ophthalmic market. Of these 12 companies: Alcon, Carl Zeiss, Meditec, Bausch + Lomb, Genentech-Roche, Allergan, Abbott Medical Optics, Bayer Healthcare AG, Santen, Topcon, Nidek, Cipla and Sun Pharma constitute over two-thirds of revenues, leaving the smaller market players competing for the remaining 30 per cent of the Indian ophthalmic market opportunity. Cataract products are the largest ophthalmic surgical submarket in India followed by retinal drugs like anti-VEGFs in treatment and glaucoma.
 
Small-incision cataract surgery is the leading surgical procedure. Ultrasonic phacoemulsification is also gaining ground. Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery is just beginning to have a presence in the market. Surgeons typically use foldable IOLs and ophthalmic viscoelastic devices with either SICS or phacoemulsification.
 
“A key observation in 2016 is that ophthalmologists are also interacting with an educated patient pool who are aware and keen on immediate diagnosis-treatment for faster relief, Dr. Ashvin Agarwal, director, Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals told Pharmabiz.
 
“Right through 2016, we saw an increase in glaucoma and dry eye syndrome. The prevalence of the latter is due to continuous exposure to computers and mobile phones, besides stress, added Dr Agarwal.

According to Dr Bhujang Shetty, chairman and managing director, Narayana Nethralaya, there are ophthalmic winter ailments like dry eye and seasonal allergies. In this regard, the new drugs approved in 2016 like Humira (adalimumab) by Abbvie for uveitis, Xiidra or lifitegrast by Shire for dry eye disease, along with a new class of drugs for diabetic macular edema : ALG-1001or Luminate by Allegro Ophthalmics showed promising results in monotherapy of visual acuity gains and decreased central macular thickness.
 
Delving on the key ophthalmic care trends in 2016, Dr. Chaitra Jayadev, consultant, ophthalmology, Narayana Nethralaya, said keratoconus can be treated with a special laser and eye drops used to strengthen the collagen fibers in the cornea.
 
In 2016, it was Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE), a laser to treat refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism and is now preferred over LASIK, said Dr. Jayadev.

Emergence of light adjustable IOLs (intra ocular lens) and novel options for presbyopia are beginning to transform ophthalmic care. “Therefore in 2017, we will see better medical management alternatives for dry eyes and glaucoma”, noted Dr. Agarwal.
 
In addition a medicated silicone ring placed on the eye can lower internal eye pressure by about 20 per cent. Lowering internal eye pressure is the key to keeping glaucoma under control lest it would damage the optic nerve, said Dr. Shetty.