The size of the United Kingdom and Ireland contact lens market in 2016 was £290 million as reported by the data contributing members of the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers (ACLM). This represents a growth of 8 per cent by value since 2015.
The market was made up of the sale of over 780 million contact lenses. Market value comprised daily disposables (65 per cent), soft frequent replacement lenses (31 per cent), traditional soft lenses (1 per cent) and rigid lenses (3 per cent). In total there are approximately 4.2 million contact lens wearers in the UK which represents 9 per cent of adults aged 15-64 years. Of this group, 2.1 million people use daily disposables and 1.8 million people use frequent replacement lenses. Overall, there are 5.1 per cent more wearers than in 2015.
The ACLM remains confident that the UK market for CLs continues to grow, and recommending contact lenses continues to provide the most effective way for practitioners to grow their business, to demonstrate a comprehensive clinical expertise, and to gain greater loyalty from their patients.