Eye allergy treatment includes products and solutions that are used to treat and manage allergies affecting the eyes. Treatment includes over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs used to improve symptoms such as redness, itching, tearing, and swelling of the eyes. Major types of eye allergy are seasonal or perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and contact allergic conjunctivitis. The increasing prevalence of eye allergies worldwide and a significant number of switches from prescription to over-the-counter drugs are the noteworthy factors contributing to the growing eye allergy treatment market size. However, a lack of awareness of ocular allergies and side effects associated with medications hinder the market growth. Moreover, the development of combination therapies is expected to bring new eye allergy treatment market trends in the coming years.
Significant Number of Switches from Prescription to Over-the-Counter Medicines Drive Eye Allergy Treatment Market Growth
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are replacing various therapeutics that were previously exclusively available through a prescription. This transition from a prescription-only to an OTC medicine has many advantages, including the increased availability of more practical and affordable solutions, which promote a higher uptake of these therapeutics. As this switching process is monitored by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is considered a scientifically rigorous and highly regulated one that enables a growing number of patients with ocular allergies to have direct access to an increasing range of therapeutics.
In July 2020, the FDA approved Alcon’s Pataday Once Daily Relief (olopatadine hydrochloride, 0.7%) to undergo the switch from prescription-only to an OTC drug. It provides temporary relief for itchy eyes due to pollen, grass, animal hair, ragweed, or dander. In addition, in March 2022, Allergan’s product LASTACAFT (alcaftadine ophthalmic solution 0.25%) can now be purchased without a prescription by people with ocular allergies, opening up a new patient population base for companies engaged in the market.
Other products that have made the prescription to OTC switch since January 2020 include Olopatadine hydrochloride, 0.2% (Pataday Once Daily Relief) and Olopatadine hydrochloride, 0.1% (Pataday Twice Daily Relief), which was approved in February 2020. Pataday drug temporarily relieves itchy and red eyes due to pollen, grass, ragweed, animal hair, or dander. Additionally, Alcaftadine ophthalmic solution, 0.25% (Lastacaft), was approved in December 2021 for people with allergies. It temporarily relieves itchy eyes from pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, and dander. Approval of a broader range of nonprescription drugs has the possibility to enhance public health by expanding the types of drugs customers can access and use that would otherwise only be available by prescription. Therefore, a significant number of prescriptions to over-the-counter switches bolster the eye allergy treatment market growth.
Eye Allergy Treatment Market: Segmental Overview
The eye allergy treatment market is segmented into treatment, indication, and distribution channel. Based on indication, the market is categorized into seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, contact allergic conjunctivitis, atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. The seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis segment held a significant eye allergy treatment market share in 2022 and is projected to register the highest CAGR during 2022–2030. Eye allergies develop when the immune system gets sensitized and overreacts to something in the surroundings that would normally cause no problems in most people. An allergic reaction can occur when an allergen comes in contact with antibodies associated with the mast cells in the eyes; the cells react by releasing histamine and other constituents or chemicals, causing tiny blood vessels to leak and the eyes to become itchy, red, and watery. Eye allergies share symptoms with several eye diseases, making precise diagnosis and detection imperative. The symptoms of eye allergy can extend from mildly unpleasant redness to inflammation that is severe enough to impair vision. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and perennial allergic conjunctivitis are the most common forms of eye allergies. Signs and symptoms of both conditions are the same. The difference is the specific allergens to which the patient is allergic. Airborne pollens usually cause seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Its symptoms usually occur in the spring and summer and generally abate during winter. Perennial allergic conjunctivitis can occur throughout the year with exposure to perennial allergens, such as mold, dust mites, pet dander, or other household allergens. Diagnostic features of both allergic conjunctivitis consist of itching, redness, and swelling of the conjunctiva.
Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, and mast cell inhibitors. Antihistamines are usually prescribed, but only temporarily because they worsen the symptoms of dryness. Steroids and mast cell inhibitors may also be used. These medications are usually required for the whole year around.
Eye Allergy Treatment Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments
Bausch + Lomb, Alcon, AbbVie, Johnson & Johnson, Akorn Inc., Nicox, Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Novartis AG, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. are a few key companies operating in the market. These companies focus on product innovation strategies to meet evolving customer demands, along with maintaining their brand name in the eye allergy treatment market.
A few recent developments initiated in the global eye allergy treatment market report are mentioned below:
- In February 2021, Bausch + Lomb, a major worldwide eye health business of Bausch Health Companies Inc., introduced the Alaway Preservative Free (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution 0.035%) antihistamine eye drops in the US. It is the first and only OTC preservative-free antihistamine eye itch relief drop approved by the FDA. Alaway Preservative-Free is available at most national retailers, including Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Amazon.
- In February 2021, Alcon announced that Pataday Once Daily Relief Extra Strength (olopatadine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution 0.7%) is available in-store and online at US retailers such as Amazon, Walgreens, CVS, and Target, following its approval by the FDA for OTC sale in 2020.