Top 5 Companies in the Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market

The diabetic retinopathy treatment market was valued at about USD 6.49 billion in 2023. The market is further expected to grow at a CAGR of about 6.70% in the forecast period of 2024-2032 to reach a value of around USD 11.63 billion by 2032.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a medical condition in which blood vessels in the retina get damaged in people with diabetes mellitus. There are two kinds including non-proliferative and proliferative or progressed DR. It is caused by changes in blood glucose levels, which cause abnormal growth of the light-sensitive tissues in the eye. The common symptoms include dark spots or floating strings in the vision field, blurred or fluctuating vision, impaired colour vision, or vision loss.

The increasing prevalence of the condition can be attributed to the growing geriatric population worldwide. The American Heart Association published the statistics for diabetes in 2024, highlighting that about 9.7 million adults in the United States have undiagnosed diabetes, 29.3 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, and nearly 115.9 million adults have pre-diabetes.  Diabetes  is a critical chronic disease that requires immediate attention to curb the growing global burden of the disease and associated conditions such as diabetic neuropathic pain. As per the data published by the World Health Organization, nearly 422 million people are suffering from diabetes and the most common regions include middle-income countries. Diabetes allegedly claims about 1.5 million lives annually due to its increasing prevalence. 

The market is witnessing significant regulatory approvals by the authorities including the FDA. The increasing FDA approvals are poised to drive market growth positively in the forecast period. For instance, in April 2024, AEYE Health, the leading company for AI retinal imaging and diagnostics, received the first-ever FDA clearance for a fully autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) capable of diagnosing referable diabetic retinopathy from retinal images obtained by a handheld camera.

This new FDA clearance is based on two large-scale prospective phase-III studies, in which AEYE-DS demonstrated best-in-class efficacy and imageability. According to the estimates by the CCD’s Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System, there were an estimated 9.6 million people in the United States suffering from diabetic retinopathy (DR) in 2021.  This new device is a combination of a fully autonomous AI with a portable handheld device, bringing a new and affordable screening solution to address enabling increasing early detection rates and driving retinopathy management in the market. These advancements contribute to the market's growth by addressing a critical need for efficient, accessible screening solutions.

The market is significantly driven by several growth factors and market trends such as the rising incidence of diabetes, particularly type 2 diabetes  as it is directly associated with diabetic retinopathy, especially in North America and Asia Pacific. The growing geriatric population in these regions is further bolstering market growth. The rising awareness among individuals is contributing to an increase in demand for advanced diagnostic solutions to aid early detection of diabetes to prevent diabetes-associated diseases including diabetic retinopathy among others. 

Individuals are more aware and active about getting regular eye check-ups, aiding early diagnosis and prevention of the condition, boosting market demand. The rapid advancements in anti-VEGF therapies, corticosteroids, and laser surgeries, have further enhanced the management of both proliferative and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, expanding the treatment landscape. Moreover, the market is experiencing increasing technological advancement and innovation in imaging diagnostic devices such as optical coherence tomography  (OCT) and fundus photography, improving precision, and fostering market expansion.   

Major Companies Shaping the Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market in 2024

Alimera Sciences, Inc.

Alimera Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals. Their portfolio includes ILUVIEN , a sustained-release intravitreal implant used for the treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). The company provides innovative treatments for retinal diseases, especially with affected vision.

Genentech, Inc.

Genentech, Inc. is a biotechnology pioneer and a member of the Roche Group. The company has a significant presence in the market and their portfolio includes Lucentis, a treatment for diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration . The company is focused on developing cutting-edge solutions for serious medical conditions, particularly in oncology, immunology, and ophthalmology.

KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

KalVista Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on small-molecule drugs for diseases with significant unmet needs. Their portfolio includes treatments for diabetic macular edema (DME) and hereditary angioedema  (HAE). The company is committed to developing innovative treatments that address conditions impacting quality of life.

Opthea Limited

Opthea Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development of therapies for treating eye diseases. Opthea is focused on advancing treatments that improve vision outcomes for patients with retinal disorders.

Oxurion NV

Oxurion NV is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel treatments for back-of-the-eye diseases, particularly diabetic macular edema  (DME) and diabetic retinopathy.