U.S. Diabetic Retinopathy Market Expansion Fueled by Aging Population and Diabetes Rise

The U.S. diabetic retinopathy market size was estimated at USD 3.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 6.02 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 6.19% from 2025 to 2034.

Highlights of the U.S. Diabetic Retinopathy Market

• By type insight, the proliferative diabetic retinopathy segment held a dominant presence in the market in 2024.
• By type insight, the non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034.
• By Age group insight, the 40-49 age group segment accounted for a considerable share of the market in 2024.
• By Age group insight, the 65-74 age group segment is projected to experience the highest growth rate in the market between 2025 and 2034.
• By management type insight, the anti-VEGF segment dominated the market in 2024.
• By management type insight, the vitrectomy segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034.
• By distribution channel insight, the hospitals and pharmacies segment accounted for a considerable share of the market in 2024.
• By distribution channel insight, the ambulatory surgical centers segment is projected to experience the highest growth rate in the market between 2025 and 2034.

Industry Valuation and Growth Rate Projection

Diabetic retinopathy is a continuous process of eye damage to the vessels in the retina due to high blood sugar, primarily in conditions of diabetes type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Most symptoms that arise due to this include blurred vision and loss of vision, making it the most common complication for diabetes sufferers. Now, the U.S. diabetic retinopathy market expansion is fostered by factors such as an increasing geriatric population, changes in lifestyle, unhealthy diet, and genetic makeup.

The government, as well as national- and international-level NGOs concerned with educating people, strategize to educate the population about early detection and treatment of diabetes and diabetic eye diseases. Growth is also encouraged through technological advancements in ophthalmology via newer imaging tools, laser treatments, and surgical instrumentation. This is further strengthened by investments made by both public and private entities in the healthcare infrastructure and medical technology to ensure advanced treatment options are readily available. With growing awareness and diagnostics coupled with increasing and better health coverage, the U.S. diabetic retinopathy market is set for rapid development to be able to meet the increasing worldwide requirement for effective treatment solutions for eye-related conditions.

What Are the Market Trends in the U.S. Diabetic Retinopathy Market?

The trends in the U.S. diabetic retinopathy market highlight the increasing need for treatment due to the increasing incidence of both types of diabetes, owing to genetic predisposition, and increasingly influential environmental factors such as sedentary lifestyles, and the increasing consumption of added sugar, refined carbohydrates, processed meats, and other unhealthy fats.

• Several AI-powered diagnostic tools have already been FDA-cleared to improve the accuracy and speed of DR screening.
• Some telemedicine networks momentarily provide eye care services to populations in remote areas and underserved regions.
• Point-of-care AI screening system empowers primary care clinics with the capacity to detect early DR cases, i.e., reducing demand on specialist services.
• Collaborative alliances between tech-makers, healthcare providers, and research centers facilitated deeper innovation in screening and treatment.
• Anti-VEGF agents continue to be a frontline therapy for late-stage DR and diabetic macular edema.

What Are the Restraints in the U.S. Diabetic Retinopathy Market?

The U.S. diabetic retinopathy market experiences growth restraints due to factors such as unawareness among diabetics about the effects of insulin resistance on eye health.

• A lack of awareness often leads to late diagnosis and treatment, mostly in rural and underdeveloped areas.
• Treatment cost and side-effect profile hamper patient adherence and completion of treatment.
• Emerging challenges surface in the path of AI development, and these issues related to data quality and model dependability hamper the upscaling of AI-based screening.
• Precautionary and ethical apprehensions with the use of AI in clinics are tolling the rate of adoption and trust by practitioners.

What Are the Opportunities in the U.S. Diabetic Retinopathy Market?

Opportunities emerging in the U.S. diabetic retinopathy market stem from advancements in diagnosis due to the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), and the potential for nationwide awareness campaigns leading to more patients becoming aware of the ocular complications of diabetes.

• Early diagnosis through AI enables intervention and decreases the risk of vision impairment.
• A more accurate diagnosis and DR staging by AI allows improved clinical decision-making.
• Personalized intervention plans using patient data maximize results while minimizing overtreatment.
• Filling the resource gap

Recent Developments in the U.S. Diabetic Retinopathy Market:

• In July 2024, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre in India launched India's first AI-driven software to detect early signs of retinal damage, enabling timely medical intervention and reducing vision loss risk.
• In October 2023, Google licensed an AI model for diabetic retinopathy detection to India and Thailand's Forus Health, AuroLab, and Perceptra, aiming to conduct six million AI-powered screenings over a decade.