Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market Size, Share and Trends 2026 to 2035

Revenue, 2025

USD 19.89 Bn

Forecast Year, 2035

USD 35.62 Bn

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

6.00%

Report Coverage

Global

What is the Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market Size in 2026?

The global corticosteroid eyedrops market size was calculated at USD 19.89 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 21.08 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 35.62 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 6.00% from 2026 to 2035.The market is driven by increasing cases of allergic conjunctivitis, as well as the rise in the number of ophthalmologic clinics in emerging regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America.

Key Takeaways

• North America led the market in 2025 with a share of around 40%.
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period.
• By product type, the dexamethasone segment held the largest market share of 35% in 2025.
• By product type, the Tobradex segment is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period.
• By application, the adult segment held the largest market share of 80% in 2025.
• By application, the children segment is expected to grow at a solid CAGR of 5.3% between 2026 and 2035.
• By distribution channel, the hospital pharmacy segment held the highest market share of 45% in 2025.
• By distribution channel, the online pharmacy segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period.

Market Overview

The corticosteroid eyedrops market comprises ophthalmic steroid eye drop formulations used to treat ocular inflammation, post-surgical swelling, uveitis, and other inflammatory eye conditions. These eye drops reduce inflammation by suppressing immune responses in eye tissues. The growth of the market is driven by the increasing prevalence of ocular disorders, surging ophthalmic surgeries, aging populations, and expanding distribution channels such as online pharmacies. The rapid expansion of the healthcare sector also contributes to the market.

How is AI Impacting the Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market?

AI plays an important role in shaping the corticosteroid eyedrops market in a positive direction. The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the corticosteroid eye drops industry helps in transitioning it from a traditional one into a precise, data-driven, and personalized model. The primary significance of AI lies in accelerating drug delivery, enhancing therapeutic adherence, and enabling the development of advanced formulations that reduce the side effects in the human eye. Also, AI-based algorithms are used to analyze chemical structures and physicochemical properties to optimize the solubility and stability of corticosteroid formulations that are used in the production of eyedrops.

• In January 2026, Insitro acquired CombinAbleAI. This acquisition is being carried out to launch an AI-based drug discovery platform named ‘TherML'.

Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market Trends

• Opening of New Production Centers: Numerous eye care hospital chains are engaged in opening new manufacturing units to increase the production of eyedrops. For instance, in October 2025, Aurolab opened a new production center in Madurai, India. This new manufacturing center was inaugurated to produce around 36 million bottles of eyedrops for the consumers of this nation.
• Growing Cases of Eye Diseases: The surging prevalence of eye diseases globally has increased the application of corticosteroid eyedrops. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology,around 7.32 million U.S. citizens are expected to suffer from primary open-angle glaucoma by 2050.
• Approvals by Healthcare Organizations: Various healthcare organizations have approved a wide range of eyedrops for commercial usage. For instance, in December 2024, the U.S. FDA approved Omnipred. Omnipred is an adrenocortical steroid-based eyedrop that is found effective for treating acne rosacea and superficial punctate keratitis.
• Rising Adoption of Advanced Formulations: There is increasing development and preference for preservative‑free and sustained‑release corticosteroid eyedrop formulations, aimed at improving tolerability and patient compliance while minimizing side effects associated with traditional formulations.
• Growth of Combination Therapies: Pharmaceutical companies are launching combination products (e.g., corticosteroid plus antibiotic/antifungal), offering broader therapeutic coverage by treating inflammation alongside potential infections in a single formulation.

Market Scope

Segment Insights

Product Type Insights

Why Did the Dexamethasone Segment Dominate the Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market?

The dexamethasone segment dominated the market with a major share of 35% in 2025. This is due to its high anti-inflammatory efficacy and broad ophthalmic applications. These eye drops are used for treating a wide range of eye diseases, including uveitis, postoperative eye inflammation, and allergic conjunctivitis. With the surging volume of surgical procedures, the demand for these products has grown significantly due to their effectiveness in lowering swelling, along with reducing redness and pain in the human eye. Also, these medications are compatible with combination formulations such as antibiotics and antiemetics, which in turn increases their demand among ophthalmologists. The top dexamethasone manufacturers include Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Amber Lifesciences, ANI Pharmaceuticals, Fera Pharmaceuticals, and Allergan.

The Tobradex segment is expected to grow with a robust CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period, as it combines an antibiotic with tobramycin to stop bacterial growth in the human eye that further leads to eye swelling. These eye drops deliver superior outcomes in treating mixed inflammatory eye infections as compared to single-action corticosteroids. It is available at a low cost and can be applied directly to the infected area of the eyes. Also, these eye drops are highly used in refractive surgery for post-operative care, due to their ability to reduce ocular inflammation.

Application Insights

Why Did the Adults Segment Dominate the Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market?

The adults segment dominated the market with the largest share of 80% in 2025 due to the growing prevalence of dry eye-related inflammation and rising cases of post-surgical eye conditions in adults. The number of cataract and LASIK surgeries has grown among the age group of 25-55 years, which has increased the demand for dexamethasone to prevent post-operative complications. Adults are also prone to various eye disorders, such as uveitis and age-related macular disorders. The prevalence of these eye diseases has further raised the application of corticosteroid eyedrops among adults. According to the College of Optometrists, the late age-related macular degeneration disorder in the UK region is expected to increase by 24.4% by 2035, as compared to 2025.

The children segment is expected to expand at a solid CAGR of 5.3% between 2026 and 2035. This is due to the rising use of combination eye drops to treat ocular inflammation in kids. Additionally, the surging cases of vernal keratoconjunctivitis, along with increasing awareness among caregivers about early diagnosis and treatment of eye disease, have increased the demand for corticosteroid eye drops. Moreover, superior access to paediatric eye care services, as well as the growing emphasis of the pharmaceutical companies on developing high-quality eye drops for preventing long-term visual impairment in children, is expected to accelerate segmental growth.

Distribution Channel Insights

What Made Hospital Pharmacy the Leading Segment in the Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market?

The hospital pharmacy segment led the market with a share of 45% in 2025 due to the high volume of ophthalmic surgical procedures conducted in public hospitals. Corticosteroid eyedrops are prescribed for preventing postoperative complications after several types of surgeries, including refractive surgery, cataract, and glaucoma, that are performed in hospitals. Additionally, hospitals manage several ocular conditions, such as eye inflammation, uveitis, and allergy, which increase the sales of eye drops through hospital pharmacies. Moreover, the superior reimbursement support within the hospital networks encourages consumers to purchase eye drops from hospital pharmacies.

The online pharmacy segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. This is because patients and caregivers prefer online platforms for getting superior access to medications at competitive prices. Also, the growing use of smartphones enables consumers to adopt convenience-driven purchasing behaviour, thus raising the popularity of online pharmacies in India and the U.S. Several online pharmacies provide subscription services, timely reminders, and easy access to eyecare product information. The rapid expansion of the e-prescription services and the numerous advantages of the online pharmacies are expected to drive the segment in the upcoming years.

• In August 2025, Zepto launched Zepto Pharmacy. Zepto Pharmacy is an online pharmacy platform that provides 10-minute medicine delivery to patients in India.

Regional Insights

North America Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market Size and Growth 2026 to 2035

The North America corticosteroid eyedrops market size is estimated at USD 7.96 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach approximately USD 14.43 billion by 2035, with a 6.13% CAGR from 2026 to 2035.

Why Did North America Dominate the Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market?

North America dominated the corticosteroid eyedrops market by holding a 40% share in 2025 due to the presence of a well-established healthcare infrastructure, along with the growing adoption of novel eye formulations by patients. The top ophthalmologic service providers in the region are partnering with other eye care companies to establish new ophthalmologic facilities, as well as strategic initiatives by local market players, such as Alcon, Harrow, and Amneal Pharmaceuticals has also strengthened the market position. Also, supportive government policies and the rising prevalence of ocular diseases have driven the growth of the corticosteroid eyedrops market in this region.

• In January 2026, Maryland Vision Institute (MVI) partnered with Busack Eye Center. This partnership aims at establishing a new ophthalmologic center in Maryland, U.S.

U.S. Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market Size and Growth 2026 to 2035

The U.S. corticosteroid eyedrops market size is calculated at USD 5.97 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach nearly USD 10.89 billion in 2035, accelerating at a strong CAGR of 6.20% between 2026 and 2035.

U.S. Market Trends

The U.S. is a major contributor to the North American corticosteroid eyedrops market. This is due to the growing focus of market players on opening new production centers to increase the production output of eye drops, as well as the surging use of nano-technology-based formulations for manufacturing ophthalmic suspensions. Also, the increasing cases of diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma have increased the demand for corticosteroid eye drops in this country.

Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR of 6.5% in the market during the forecast period due to the growing awareness of eye health among patients, as well as the surging adoption of combination therapies by ophthalmologists for treating eye diseases. Also, product launches by several eye drop manufacturers, such as Santen, Rohto Pharmaceuticals, and Sun Pharmaceuticals, coupled with the rising geriatric population in Japan has driven the industrial expansion. The upsurge in demand for affordable generic eyedrops, along with the rapid expansion of the medical tourism sector, is further expected to accelerate the growth of the corticosteroid eyedrops market in this region.

• In December 2025, Santen launched Verkazia. Verkazia is a high-quality eye drop designed for the treatment of severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) in children and young adults across China.

China Market Analysis

China leads the corticosteroid eyedrops market within Asia Pacific due to the rising consumer preference to purchase eye drops from online pharmacies, along with the acquisition of small pharma brands by industry giants. The growing focus of eyedrop manufacturers on conducting human trials to check the efficacy of their products has contributed to the industrial development.

Corticosteroid Eyedrops Market Companies

• Pfizer Inc.
• AbbVie Inc.
• Novartis AG
• Alcon Inc.
• Bausch Health Companies Inc.
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Cipla Ltd.
• Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
• Lupin Limited
• Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.
• Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
• Alkem Laboratories Ltd.
• Sunways Pvt. Ltd.
• FDC Limited
• Akorn Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Product Type

• Dexamethasone
• Cortisone
• Tobradex
• Others

By Application

• Adult
• Children

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacy
• Retail Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy
• Other Channels

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America