IMARC Group has recently released a new research study titled “South Korea Contact Lenses Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Material, Design, Usage, Application, Distribution Channel, and Region, 2026-2034” This report offers a detailed analysis of the market drivers, segmentation, growth opportunities, trends, and competitive landscape to understand the current and future market scenarios.
South Korea Contact Lenses Market Overview
The South Korea contact lenses market size of USD 179.66 Million in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 272.62 Million by 2034. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.74% during the forecast period of 2026 to 2034. Growth is driven by increasing vision disorders, innovative lens materials, and the rapid expansion of online retail platforms, which enhance accessibility and convenience for consumers. Aging demographics and advances in optical technology also support demand for advanced, comfortable lens solutions. For more details visit South Korea Contact Lenses Market
Study Assumption Years
- Base Year: 2025
- Historical Year/Period: 2020-2025
- Forecast Year/Period: 2026-2034
South Korea Contact Lenses Market Key Takeaways
- Current Market Size: USD 179.66 Million in 2025
- CAGR: 4.74%
- Forecast Period: 2026-2034
- Innovative lens materials like silicone hydrogel and hybrid formulations improve comfort and eye health.
- Increasing prevalence of refractive vision issues such as myopia and astigmatism is a major growth driver.
- Rapid growth of e-commerce platforms facilitates convenient and wider product availability.
- Aging population with 19.2% aged 65+ in 2024 is increasing demand for vision correction solutions.
- Manufacturers and researchers actively innovate to meet changing user and clinical needs.
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Market Growth Factors
The South Korea contact lenses market growth is notably driven by advancements in lens materials and technology. Recent innovations include the development of silicone hydrogel and hybrid formulations that enhance oxygen permeability, moisture retention, and adaptability, leading to significantly improved wearer comfort and eye health. Technological progress in digital molding, 3D printing, and nanotechnology has enabled production of ultra-thin, lightweight, and durable lenses that minimize dryness and discomfort during extended use. Automated manufacturing ensures production quality and consistency, thus increasing consumer confidence in premium products. The sector focuses on producing lenses suitable for daily disposable, monthly, and extended wear use, emphasizing customized optical solutions for diverse user needs.
The increasing prevalence of vision disorders is another critical growth factor. Conditions like myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are becoming more common, driven by prolonged screen time, academic pressures, and extensive digital device use especially among youth. The elderly population, which accounted for 19.2% of South Korea’s population in 2024 and is forecasted to surpass 20% by 2025 and 30% by 2036, is also fueling demand for effective comfort-tailored vision correction products. Contact lenses offer advantages such as improved peripheral vision and practicality over traditional glasses and are increasingly recommended by ophthalmologists. Early vision screening and enhanced access to eye care services further expand market potential.
The growth of online retail and e-commerce platforms significantly impacts purchasing behavior. South Korea’s e-commerce sector reached a value of USD 510 Billion in 2024, reflecting robust digital infrastructure and high online transaction volumes. Consumers prefer digital platforms for the convenience of product comparison, customer reviews, competitive pricing, and promotional offers. Subscription and direct-to-consumer models promote customer retention and regular product renewal. Enhanced security, rapid shipping, and flexible returns increase consumer trust. Moreover, online platforms educate consumers on eye health and product features, facilitating wider market reach including rural areas. The digital-retail logistics integration continuously reshapes how optical products are distributed and consumed in the country.
Market Segmentation
- Material Insights:
- Gas Permeable: Lenses that allow oxygen to pass through to the eye, maintaining eye health.
- Silicone Hydrogel: Advanced materials enhancing oxygen transmission and moisture retention.
- Hybrid: Formulations combining benefits of multiple materials to improve comfort and performance.
- Others: Other unspecified lens materials used in the market.
- Design Insights:
- Spherical: Standard lenses correcting near or farsightedness with uniform curvature.
- Toric: Lenses designed to correct astigmatism with varying curvature in different meridians.
- Multifocal: Lenses that correct multiple vision zones for near and distance sight.
- Others: Additional lens designs not categorized above.
- Usage Insights:
- Daily Disposable: Lenses intended for single-day use and disposal, promoting hygiene.
- Disposable: Lenses that can be discarded after a certain period of use.
- Frequently Replacement: Lenses designed for replacement at frequent intervals shorter than traditional lenses.
- Traditional: Conventional lenses with longer usage durations.
- Application Insights:
- Corrective: Lenses used primarily for vision correction.
- Therapeutic: Lenses designed for medical treatment purposes.
- Cosmetic: Lenses aimed at enhancing or altering eye appearance.
- Prosthetic: Lenses that serve to replace or cover disfigured or damaged eyes.
- Lifestyle-oriented: Lenses catering to lifestyle needs, including comfort and specialty uses.
- Distribution Channel Insights:
- E-commerce: Online platforms providing convenient purchase options.
- Eye Care Practitioners: Physical stores associated with professional eye care services.
- Retail Stores: Traditional brick-and-mortar retail outlets selling contact lenses.
- Regional Insights:
- Seoul Capital Area
- Yeongnam (Southeastern Region)
- Honam (Southwestern Region)
- Hoseo (Central Region)
- Others
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Regional Insights
The Seoul Capital Area emerges as a dominant region in the South Korea contact lenses market. Precise statistics on regional market shares or regional CAGR are not provided in the source. This region, being the economic and population center, drives substantial demand due to higher accessibility to advanced optical solutions and robust retail and e-commerce infrastructure.
Recent Developments & News
In August 2025, South Korean researchers from KAIST, ETRI, and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital developed the world’s first wireless OLED-based contact lens for retinal diagnostics. This innovative lens enables portable, machine-free eye tests controlled via a sleep mask, potentially revolutionizing retina care, myopia treatment, and augmented reality (AR) applications.
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