Keratoconus Market Trends

Market Driver - Growing Awareness of Keratoconus and Earlier Diagnosi

With growing awareness about keratoconus, more people are getting themselves screened for the condition at an early stage. Previously, keratoconus diagnosis often happened quite late when significant vision deterioration had already set in.

However, advances in technologies like topography and tomography have made it possible for optometrists to pick up subtle signs of the disorder much before symptoms manifest. School health screenings and routine eye checkups are also catching mild cases which would have otherwise gone unnoticed for years.

Several outreach campaigns by eye hospitals and NGOs in the last decade have played a big role in educating general public as well as eye care professionals about keratoconus. People are recognizing that certain eye problems or vision issues in younger individuals may not just be due to high myopia but could be an early sign of keratoconus as well. This is encouraging more proactive consultation with specialists.

Availability of detailed information online has answered many queries that patients previously had about the complexities of this progressive corneal disorder.

Market Driver - Advancements in Technological Procedures

Technological upgrades have revolutionized the management of keratoconus. Cross-linking which arrests the worsening of the corneal shape by enhancing its biomechanical strength using riboflavin and UV light, is now an established standard of care worldwide.

Second generation protocols have improved the safety and efficacy profile of CXL. Adaptive laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis or Lasek using advanced lasers and wavefront guided ablation profiles has enabled remarkable visual rehabilitation even in moderate to advanced keratoconus cases previously considered untreatable.

Bravelle continuum contact lenses have opened up new possibilities for fitting problematic keratoconic eyes. Availability of scleral lenses provide superior visual outcomes for those not fitted by other modalities. Newer specialized intraocular lenses tailored for keratoconus are being explored. Tissue engineering approaches hold promise for developing bioengineered corneas.

Three-dimensional printing technologies may enable customized corneal implants or cross-linking patterns in future. Collectively, these technological strides have boosted confidence in managing sight threatening keratoconus and offer renewed vision related quality of life.

Market Challenge - High Costs Associated with Treatments, Limiting Accessibility

Keratoconus is a degenerative disease requiring lifelong management and prescriptions. Treatment options like corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) and corneal transplant surgeries are highly specialized procedures carried out by corneal specialists. These treatments involve significant costs running into thousands of dollars.

For many patients with limited or no health insurance, affording such expensive care remains a major challenge. Even in countries with universal healthcare, long wait times for procedures limit timely access. This delay in receiving treatment can allow the disease to progress rapidly in severe cases. The high economic burden restricts access to care especially for low-income groups and in developing nations.

While new less invasive options are being researched, traditional therapies will continue to be cost-prohibitive for many keratoconus patients for the foreseeable future. Addressing affordability through subsidies, affordable generic drug options, and boosting healthcare coverage can help alleviate this barrier.

Market Opportunity - Development of Non-invasive Treatments like IVMED-80

The keratoconus market is poised for growth with ongoing R&D into novel therapeutic approaches. One promising innovation is IVMED-80, an investigational, non-invasive drug delivered through eye drops being developed for keratoconus. If approved, it can potentially transform treatment landscape. Keratoconus management relies heavily on hard contact lenses and rigid gas permeable lenses to improve vision.

However, many patients struggle with discomfort from these options. IVMED-80 claims to slow keratoconus progression by modifying protein expression through topical application only, avoiding surgery. With a good safety profile demonstrated so far in studies and ability to be self-administered at home long-term, it can drive higher compliance. Its non-invasive nature also reduces costs compared to existing options.

With a large patient base and no approved pharmacologic treatments currently available, IVMED-80, if successful, has potential to capture a sizable market share globally. It can expand patient reach and lead to superior outcomes.