Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Size Analysis Report - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Outlook

• The increasing geriatric population and growing prevalence of diabetes among older individuals is a major market driver.
• Growing research and development activities are significantly driving the market growth.
• Regulatory bodies like the FDA have accelerated the approval of innovative technologies, such as AI-based diagnostic systems, minimally invasive treatments, and improved retinal therapies.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Overview

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the damage caused to the blood vessels in the retina by diabetes mellitus. There are two types of this condition, namely, 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. 

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Growth Drivers

Growing Cases of Diabetes Augmenting the Market Growth

Diabetes causes damage to the eyes, thus, the growing cases of diabetes among the world population are expected to accelerate market growth. The favourable government policies to make advanced healthcare services available to the masses and extensive research and development activities are likely to generate various new opportunities that will impact diabetic retinopathy treatment market value in the forecast period. Additionally, the expansion of healthcare infrastructure and the rising demand for early detection technologies are some of the other driving factors for the DR treatment market. The clinical pipeline for DR seems full of promises, with lots of drugs under the umbrella specifically targeting diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients. Moreover, technological advancements in ophthalmic surgical and diagnostic instruments will aid the growth of the diabetic retinopathy treatment market during the forecast years. 

Regulatory Approvals to Meet Rising Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Demand

The market is witnessing significant regulatory approvals by the authorities including the FDA. 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.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Trends

The market is witnessing several trends and developments to improve the current scenario. Some of the notable trends are as follows:

Technologically Advanced Diagnostics

The market is witnessing an increasing integration of AI-powered diagnostic solutions that are artificially intelligent for the early detection of the condition resulting in improved accuracy, accessibility, and efficiency in remote areas. 

Increasing Research and Development Activities Poised to Bring Potent Treatment Options

The researchers are highly active and continuously exploring new potential treatments to treat several diseases associated with diabetes including diabetic retinopathy. For instance, some researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences and Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center are exploring a new, revolutionary treatment to know how anti-ceramide immunotherapy can address the root cause of the disease and stop the progression toward blindness at an earlier stage than previous treatments.  This could positively impact the prognosis of patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, and potentially bring a new treatment option into the market, propelling market growth.

Rise of Combination Therapies to Impact the Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Value

Combination therapies are gaining traction as they increase the efficacy of the treatment. The growing trend toward integrating ant-VEGF drugs with steroids or other treatments is expected to influence the market size in the coming years. Biologic drugs and novel treatment modalities, like gene therapy and anti-VEGF injections, are gaining traction for their targeted and effective treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The improved efficacy and safety profiles of these advanced therapies are expected to dominate the market, contributing to improved patient outcomes. 

Rising Regulatory Approvals

Regulatory bodies are fast-tracking approvals for innovative diagnostic tools and therapies, enabling quicker commercialisation of innovative technologies, and enhancing access to early-stage detection and personalised treatments. 

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Segmentation

Market Breakup by Indication

• Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy 
• Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Market Breakup by Treatment Type

• Anti VEGF Drug 
• Steroid Implants 
• Laser Surgeries
• Vitrectomy

Market Breakup by End User

• Hospitals 
• Ophthalmic Clinics 
• Ambulatory Surgical Centre 
• Others 

Market Breakup by Region

• United States 
• EU-4 and the United Kingdom 
  • Germany 
  • France 
  • Italy 
  • Spain 
  • United Kingdom 
• Japan 
• India 

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Share

Market Share by Indication to Witness Substantial Growth

Based on Indication, the market is divided into proliferative diabetic retinopathy and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy NPDR segment leads the market share due to the higher prevalence which is the prior stage of diabetic retinopathy. It is commonly asymptomatic but can progress to vision-threatening conditions if untreated, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial. This contributes to the high demand for therapies such as anti-VEGF injections and laser treatments compared to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). 

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market Analysis by Region

The United States is expected to lead the market due to the high market penetration of anti-VEGF drugs such as Eylea, Avastin, and Lucentis. The market is also expected to grow in the region owing to the supportive reimbursement policies and the increasing prevalence of diabetes. The increasing awareness regarding the availability of advanced options for treating diabetic retinopathy also adds to the regional market growth. The market is driven by the availability of modern healthcare infrastructure, favourable government initiatives about medication research, and high patient and practitioner awareness levels. 

On the other hand, the Japanese market is expected to expand at a significant growth rate because of the surging geriatric population, high healthcare expenditure, large patient pool, innovation in diagnostic approaches, government health insurance policies, and rising disposable income. Diabetes is affecting a huge number of geriatric populations in India post-COVID-19, which is propelling the diabetic retinopathy treatment market in the region. 

Leading Players in the Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market

The key features of the market report comprise patent analysis, clinical trials analysis, grants analysis, funding and investment analysis, and strategic initiatives by the leading players. The major companies in the market are as follows:

Alimera Sciences, Inc.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, 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.

Established in 1976 and based in South San Francisco, California, Genentech, Inc. is a biotechnology pioneer and a member of the Roche Group. The company has a significant presence in the market. The company 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.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, 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

Established in 2001 and based in Melbourne, Australia, Opthea Limited is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing 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

Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, 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.

Other key players in the market include Kubota Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Novartis AG, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pfizer Inc., Bayer AG, Allergan Plc., and ThromboGenics NV.

Key Questions Answered in the Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Market

• What was the diabetic retinopathy treatment market value in 2023? 
• What is the diabetic retinopathy treatment market forecast outlook for 2025-2034?  
• What is market segmentation based on indication? 
• How does segmentation by treatment type influence market dynamics?   
• Who are the end-users in the market? 
• What are the major factors aiding the diabetic retinopathy treatment market demand?  
• How has the market performed so far and how is it anticipated to perform in the coming years? 
• What are the market's major drivers, opportunities, and restraints?  
• Which country is expected to experience expedited growth during the forecast period?  
• What are the major diabetic retinopathy treatment market trends?
• Which indication is expected to dominate the market? 
• Which treatment type will lead the market segment? 
• Which end-user will lead the market?
• Who are the key players involved in the diabetic retinopathy treatment market? 
• What is the patent landscape of the market? 
• What are the current unmet needs and challenges in the market?
• How are partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions among the key market players shaping the market dynamics?