GCC Soft Contact Lenses Market Trends
The GCC soft contact lenses market size was estimated at USD 335.29 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.39% from 2025 to 2030. The industry is driven by the increasing prevalence of vision disorders, rising patient preference for contact lenses over traditional eyewear, and the growing geriatric population base in the region. For instance, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the elderly population in the UAE, aged 60 years and above, is expected to increase from 0.31 million in 2020 to around 0.99 million in 2030 and further reach 2.06 million in 2050. Furthermore, the increasing product innovation and advancements in technology are expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period.
The rising number of individuals affected by refractive vision issues, such as myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, and astigmatism, is significantly driving the growth of the soft contact lens market across GCC nations. Factors like urbanization, lifestyle shifts, and prolonged exposure to digital screens are contributing to a higher incidence of visual impairments throughout the region. In particular, the aging populations of countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are experiencing an uptick in presbyopia, which is fueling demand for multifocal and specialized soft lenses. As awareness improves and access to care services expands in urban areas, the use of soft contact lenses for correcting refractive errors is expected to rise steadily in the GCC.
Market Concentration & Characteristics
The industry exhibits notable concentration, with key players focusing on innovation and product differentiation. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson Vision (Acuvue), Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, and CooperVision hold significant market share, leveraging advanced technologies to improve safety and user experience. Market growth is driven by rising patient preference toward contact lenses, technological advancements, high prevalence of vision disorders, and increasing healthcare expenditure in the region.
The industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region is witnessing significant innovation driven by the increasing efforts by market players to offer a wide range of products and differentiate from competitors. Additionally, there is a growing trend toward customization, with options such as colored and multifocal lenses customized to individual vision needs, which further drives innovation. For instance, in March 2024, Bella contact lenses launched six new contact lens shadesBreeze and Nay in the Diamond Collection, Marengo in Natural Colors, and Garnet, Cove, and Star in One-Day disposables. Each lens blends fashion and comfort, enhancing brown eyes with natural, vibrant tones for daily or extended wear.
The GCC soft contact lenses industry is witnessing significant mergers & collaborations, driven by the increasing demand for vision correction and the growing popularity of contact lenses as a convenient alternative to glasses. Moreover, the increasing focus of market players on expanding their product portfolios significantly contributes to M&A activities. For instance, in January 2023, CooperVision acquired SynergEyes, expanding its range of specialty contact lenses, including hybrid lenses, to enhance treatment for keratoconus and irregular cornea. The deal, handled by Carter Ledyard, strengthens CooperVision’s portfolio and reinforces its leadership in vision care and specialty eye health solutions worldwide.
The regulatory landscape significantly shapes the GCC soft contact lens industry. Stringent requirements for product registration, quality standards, and import licenses are crucial for market entrance and are often overseen by national health authorities such as the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) or the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). These regulations, aimed at ensuring patient safety and product efficacy, create significant market entry barriers for new or smaller international manufacturers. Compliance necessitates significant investment in testing, documentation, and local representation, impacting operational expenses.
The soft contact lenses industry in the GCC faces significant threats from substitutes such as traditional eyeglasses, which may be convenient and often more cost-effective options for many consumers, particularly for intermittent use or specific vision needs. Similarly, advancements and increasing accessibility of refractive surgeries, such as LASIK and PRK, offer a significant threat, as these procedures offer a permanent solution to vision correction.
The regional expansion in the GCC soft contact lens industry is driven by increasing consumer awareness and a growing demand for vision correction solutions. Market players are intensifying their efforts to enhance their presence across GCC countries by establishing specialized centers and clinics that address the local needs. For instance, in March 2025, Alcon opened its first Alcon Experience Center in Jeddah, marking a major step in enhancing ophthalmic education and surgical innovation in the Middle East and Africa. The center supports Saudi Vision 2030 by offering hands-on training, advanced technology, and partnerships with leading hospitals to elevate regional eye care standards. Such a strategic move allows better access to advanced eye care services and enhances brand loyalty among consumers.
Report Coverage & Deliverables
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- Competitive benchmarking
- Historical data & forecasts
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- Latest trends & dynamics
Application Insights
The corrective segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024. This trend can be attributed to the region’s high and rising prevalence of refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE report increasing cases of visual impairment among both youth and working-age populations, attributed to prolonged digital screen exposure and limited outdoor activities. This trend has resulted in increased demand for soft corrective lenses, especially daily and monthly disposables, which offer both vision correction and comfort in the region’s hot climate.
Usage Insights
The disposable segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024. The increase can be attributed to the high demand from a growing base of young, urban consumers in countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia who prioritize convenience, hygiene, and lifestyle compatibility. Also, the growing focus on safety rules for personal care products has led more people to choose disposable contact lenses, as they are believed to lower the chances of infections compared to regular lenses that need cleaning and storage.
Over the forecast period, we expect the traditional lenses segment to witness significant growth. Reusable lenses offer cost efficiency over time, which can be an important consideration in price-sensitive countries in the GCC, where out-of-pocket payments dominate optical purchases. Additionally, a growing base of experienced contact lens users in urban centers of the GCC increasingly prefer reusable lenses for their extended wear time, breathability, and suitability for correcting complex prescriptions such as astigmatism and presbyopia.
Distribution Channel Insights
The retail segment accounted for the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Such growth can be attributed to a preference toward in-person eye care services and prescription verification at point-of-sale in the region. Moreover, retail stores also enable customization and fittings, a crucial factor in consumer satisfaction, which increases the customer preference toward these facilities. Loyalty programs and in-store promotions additionally drive repeat purchases, further contributing to the dominance of retail stores as a major distribution channel in the market.
The E-commerce segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to the region's increasing digital penetration, coupled with rising demand for cosmetic and daily disposable lenses among customers. Moreover, the increasing efforts by distributors of contact lenses to increase their digital presence are driving the segment's growth. For instance, in Bahrain, online optical retailers such as Hassan's have developed a significant digital presence, providing a wide variety of contact lenses. This selection includes daily disposables, toric lenses designed for astigmatism, and colored lenses from well-known brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Bausch & Lomb, and Bella. Similarly, in Qatar, platforms such as Eyenk.com have become significant online hubs for purchasing contact lenses. They offer both daily and monthly disposable options, colored lenses, and specialized products.
Country Insights
Saudi Arabia Soft Contact Lenses Market Trends
The Saudi Arabia soft contact lenses market is driven by rising demand among the country’s younger population, rising awareness about eye care, availability of advanced products, and technological advancements. Innovative offerings such as colored contact lenses and smart lenses equipped with integrated sensors are gaining popularity among consumers. At the same time, more people are becoming aware of and needing vision care due to more common eye problems like diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome, which are caused by habits like spending too much time in front of screens, and this is helping the market grow even more.
UAE Soft Contact Lenses Market Trends
The soft contact lenses market in the UAE is driven by a combination of technological advancements, regional healthcare initiatives, and evolving consumer preferences. The UAE is witnessing significant development in the healthcare infrastructure, leading to increased adoption of advanced lenses. Optical retailers and eye clinics across the UAE, such as Al Jaber Optical and Magrabi Optical, offer an extensive selection of daily, monthly, and cosmetic lenses from top brands including Acuvue, Bausch + Lomb, and CooperVision. These outlets typically integrate physical store services with digital platforms, enabling customers to conveniently schedule eye exams and lens fittings online.
Key GCC Soft Contact Lenses Companies Insights
Key players operating in the GCC soft contact lenses market are undertaking various initiatives to strengthen their presence and increase the reach of their products and services. Strategies such as expansion activities and partnerships are key in propelling the market growth.
Key GCC Soft Contact Lenses Companies
- Johnson & Johnson Vision (Acuvue)
- Alcon
- Bausch + Lomb
- CooperVision
- Bella Contact Lenses
- Dahab Contact Lenses
- Anesthesia Colored Lenses
- Amara Contact Lenses
- Carl Zeiss Vision Care
- EssilorLuxottica (Middle East)
- Daya lenses
- Lensme Lenses
- Diva Lenses
- Sama Contact Lenses
- Affle Contact Lenses
- Solotica
- Ophthalens
- Leila & Leila
- Contamac
- Hydrogel Vision Corp. (Clerio Vision)
- Menicon Co., Ltd
Recent Developments
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In May 2024, Alcon partnered with the Saudi Society of Optometry to raise vision correction awareness and train local talent, aligning with national healthcare goals and fostering innovation in the Kingdom’s eye care sector.
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In March 2024, Anesthesia Colored Lenses launched four new colored contact lensesNoor, Luna, Nova, and Sun, each inspired by celestial and natural elements. Known for style and comfort, these lenses enhance brown eyes with unique tones.
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In May 2023, EssilorLuxottica and Chalhoub Group signed a joint venture to expand direct eyewear retail in the GCC. The partnership aimed to launch mono- and multi-brand stores for Ray-Ban, Persol, and others, blending EssilorLuxottica’s expertise with Chalhoub’s retail strength to elevate customer service and premium eyewear experiences in the region.
GCC Soft Contact Lenses Market Report Scope
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Report Attribute |
Details |
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Market size value in 2025 |
USD 356.96 million |
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Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 486.54 million |
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Growth rate |
CAGR of 6.39% from 2025 to 2030 |
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Actual Data |
2018-2024 |
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Forecast period |
2025-2030 |
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Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2025 to 2030 |
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Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
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Segments covered |
Application, distribution channel, usage, and country |
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Regional scope |
GCC |
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Country scope |
Saudi Arabia; UAE; Oman; Bahrain; Qatar; Kuwait |
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Key companies profiled |
Johnson & Johnson Vision (Acuvue); Alcon; Bausch + Lomb; CooperVision; Bella Contact Lenses; Dahab Contact Lenses; Anesthesia Colored Lenses; Amara Contact Lenses; Carl Zeiss Vision Care; EssilorLuxottica (Middle East); Daya lenses; Lensme Lenses; Diva Lenses; Sama Contact Lenses; Afle Contact Lenses; Solotica; Ophtalens; Leila & Leila; Contamac; Hydrogel Vision Corp. (Clerio Vision); Menicon Co., Ltd |
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Customization We offer free report customization (equivalent to up to 8 analysts' working days) with every purchase. |
with every purchase. You can include or modify the scope of the country, region, and segment. |
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Pricing and purchase options |
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GCC Soft Contact Lenses Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth at the regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the subsegments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, MIR has segmented the GCC soft contact lenses market report on the basis of application, distribution channel, usage, and region
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Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018-2030)
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Corrective (Prescription)
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Non-Corrective (Cosmetic/Plano)
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Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
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E-commerce
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Eye Clinics
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Retail
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Usage Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
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Disposable
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Traditional (Reusable) lenses
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Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
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Saudi Arabia
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UAE
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Oman
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Bahrain
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Qatar
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Kuwait
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