Summary
KEY FINDINGS
The South Korea retinal imaging devices market size is valued at $122.86 million as of 2026 and is expected to reach $238.01 million by 2034, progressing with a CAGR of 8.62% during the forecast years, 2026-2034.
MARKET INSIGHTS
South Korea represents a technologically advanced and rapidly growing market for retinal imaging devices, characterized by high healthcare standards, universal insurance coverage, and strong government support for digital health innovation. The nation's sophisticated healthcare infrastructure facilitates rapid adoption of cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, particularly in metropolitan areas where tertiary hospitals and specialized eye clinics concentrate.
According to research published in the Journal of Korean Medical Science, diabetic retinopathy affects approximately 24.5% of Korean adults with known diabetes based on nationwide surveys conducted from 2017 to 2018, creating substantial demand for systematic retinal screening programs. More recent analyses utilizing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) spanning 2008 to 2020, with projections extending to 2040, indicate that the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) among individuals with diabetes in South Korea was estimated at 24.6% in 2020. Future projections suggest an increase in this prevalence rate, reaching 30.8% by 2030 and 38.8% by 2040.
Moreover, South Korea's aging population faces an increasing incidence of age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma, driving consistent demand for advanced ophthalmic imaging technologies throughout the forecast period. The country's robust medical device regulatory framework ensures high-quality product standards while supporting innovation through streamlined approval pathways for breakthrough technologies.
Additionally, South Korea's tech-savvy population demonstrates high awareness of preventive healthcare, resulting in strong utilization rates for routine eye examinations compared to regional counterparts. Healthcare providers throughout the nation are increasingly integrating artificial intelligence-powered retinal analysis systems, positioning South Korea as a leading market for next-generation ophthalmic diagnostic equipment.
Furthermore, the government's digital health initiatives promote electronic medical record integration and telemedicine expansion, creating favorable conditions for connected retinal imaging solutions that enable remote grading and consultation. Consequently, manufacturers prioritizing technological sophistication, seamless IT integration, and comprehensive after-sales support capture significant market share throughout South Korea's dynamic healthcare ecosystem.
SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS
The South Korea retinal imaging devices market is segmented into device, application, and indication. The application segment is further categorized into disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and research and development.
Treatment monitoring dominates the application segment within South Korea's retinal imaging devices market due to the nation's emphasis on longitudinal patient care and comprehensive chronic disease management. Healthcare providers utilize optical coherence tomography devices and fundus cameras extensively to track disease progression in patients previously diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, or glaucoma, ensuring timely intervention when conditions deteriorate.
South Korea's universal National Health Insurance system provides comprehensive coverage for follow-up retinal examinations, removing financial barriers that might otherwise limit monitoring frequency in other markets. Ophthalmologists throughout the country follow evidence-based guidelines recommending regular retinal imaging at specified intervals based on disease severity, creating predictable and recurring demand for diagnostic equipment utilization.
Moreover, patients with diabetic retinopathy require lifetime monitoring to detect progression from non-proliferative to proliferative stages or development of diabetic macular edema, necessitating repeated imaging sessions that generate consistent revenue streams for healthcare facilities. The segment benefits from South Korea's high diabetes prevalence, with recent studies indicating that diabetic retinopathy affects approximately 20.14% to 25.87% of adults aged 40 years and older with diabetes, translating to hundreds of thousands of patients requiring ongoing retinal surveillance.
Additionally, advanced treatment modalities, including anti-VEGF injections for macular degeneration and intravitreal therapy for diabetic macular edema, necessitate frequent retinal imaging to assess treatment response and guide clinical decision-making. Healthcare facilities leverage high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography systems to visualize subtle retinal changes that indicate treatment efficacy or failure, enabling personalized therapeutic adjustments.
Furthermore, South Korea's integrated electronic medical record systems facilitate longitudinal data analysis, allowing ophthalmologists to compare current retinal images against historical baselines stored digitally, enhancing diagnostic precision. The treatment monitoring application also drives demand for ultra-widefield imaging devices that capture peripheral retinal pathology often missed by conventional fundus photography, particularly important for detecting proliferative changes in diabetic retinopathy patients. Consequently, healthcare providers invest in versatile multimodal imaging platforms capable of performing multiple examination types during single patient visits, improving clinical efficiency while enhancing patient satisfaction through reduced appointment burdens.
COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS
Some of the top players operating in the South Korea retinal imaging devices market include Canon Inc, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Kowa Company Ltd, Nidek Co Ltd, Optos PLC, Topcon Corporation, etc.
Nidek Co Ltd stands as a prominent Japanese manufacturer of ophthalmic and optometric equipment, headquartered in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, with a strong market presence throughout South Korea and the broader Asia-Pacific region. The company specializes in comprehensive retinal diagnostic solutions, particularly its acclaimed MIRANTE swept-source optical coherence tomography system that delivers exceptionally high-speed imaging with deep tissue penetration capabilities.
Nidek's product portfolio encompasses advanced diagnostic platforms, including the AFC-330 non-mydriatic fundus camera series offering true color imaging without pupil dilation, swept-source OCT devices with 100,000 A-scans per second performance, multimodal imaging workstations combining OCT with fundus autofluorescence, and integrated anterior segment analysis systems.
Additionally, Nidek offers the F-10 handheld fundus camera designed for bedside examinations and screening applications in non-traditional settings, addressing growing demand for portable retinal imaging solutions. The company serves diverse customer segments throughout South Korea, including university hospital ophthalmology departments, private retina specialty practices, comprehensive eye clinics, diabetes care centers, and general hospitals with ophthalmology services. Furthermore, Nidek's equipment integrates seamlessly with South Korea's prevalent electronic medical record systems, facilitating smooth data workflow and enhancing adoption among digitally sophisticated healthcare providers.
COMPANY PROFILES
1. CANON INC
2. CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
3. HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING GMBH
4. KOWA COMPANY LTD
5. NIDEK CO LTD
6. OPTOS PLC
7. TOPCON CORPORATION
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. RESEARCH SCOPE & METHODOLOGY
1.1. STUDY OBJECTIVES
1.2. METHODOLOGY
1.3. ASSUMPTIONS & LIMITATIONS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1. MARKET SIZE & FORECAST
2.2. MARKET OVERVIEW
2.3. SCOPE OF STUDY
2.4. CRISIS SCENARIO ANALYSIS
2.5. MAJOR MARKET FINDINGS
2.5.1. SOUTH KOREA DEMONSTRATES HIGH PENETRATION OF ADVANCED RETINAL IMAGING SYSTEMS SUPPORTED BY A TECH-SAVVY HEALTHCARE ECOSYSTEM
2.5.2. OCT DEVICES ARE STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN TERTIARY HOSPITALS AND SPECIALIZED EYE CLINICS ACROSS URBAN AREAS
2.5.3. PRIVATE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS DRIVE EARLY ADOPTION OF PREMIUM AND AI-ENABLED IMAGING SOLUTIONS
2.5.4. LOCAL DISTRIBUTORS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN RAPID TECHNOLOGY DIFFUSION AND AFTER-SALES SUPPORT
3. MARKET DYNAMICS
3.1. KEY DRIVERS
3.1.1. AGING POPULATION IS INCREASING THE INCIDENCE OF AGE-RELATED AND CHRONIC RETINAL DISORDERS
3.1.2. STRONG HEALTHCARE IT INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITATES INTEGRATION OF ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES
3.1.3. HIGH PATIENT AWARENESS AND ROUTINE EYE CHECKUPS SUPPORT CONSISTENT DIAGNOSTIC DEMAND
3.1.4. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL HEALTH AND AI APPLICATIONS ACCELERATES TECHNOLOGY UPTAKE
3.2. KEY RESTRAINTS
3.2.1. HIGH SATURATION IN URBAN MARKETS LIMITS NEW INSTALLATION GROWTH
3.2.2. PRICE SENSITIVITY IN SMALL CLINICS CONSTRAINS ADOPTION OF HIGH-END SYSTEMS
3.2.3. STRICT REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS CAN EXTEND PRODUCT APPROVAL TIMELINES
3.2.4. DEPENDENCE ON IMPORTED DEVICES EXPOSES THE MARKET TO CURRENCY RISKS
4. KEY ANALYTICS
4.1. KEY MARKET TRENDS
4.1.1. RAPID ADOPTION OF AI-BASED RETINAL IMAGE ANALYSIS FOR CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT
4.1.2. INCREASING DEMAND FOR ULTRA WIDEFIELD IMAGING IN COMPREHENSIVE EYE EXAMINATIONS
4.1.3. SHIFT TOWARD COMPACT AND SPACE-EFFICIENT IMAGING SYSTEMS
4.1.4. INTEGRATION OF RETINAL IMAGING DATA WITH NATIONAL ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SYSTEMS
4.2. PORTER’S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
4.2.1. BUYERS POWER
4.2.2. SUPPLIERS POWER
4.2.3. SUBSTITUTION
4.2.4. NEW ENTRANTS
4.2.5. INDUSTRY RIVALRY
4.3. GROWTH PROSPECT MAPPING
4.3.1. GROWTH PROSPECT MAPPING FOR SOUTH KOREA
4.4. MARKET MATURITY ANALYSIS
4.5. MARKET CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS
4.6. VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
4.6.1. RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS
4.6.2. OPTICAL COMPONENTS
4.6.3. DEVICE MANUFACTURING
4.6.4. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
4.6.5. DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
4.6.6. HOSPITALS AND CLINICS
4.6.7. AFTERSALES SUPPORT
4.7. KEY BUYING CRITERIA
4.7.1. IMAGE RESOLUTION
4.7.2. CLINICAL ACCURACY
4.7.3. EASE OF USE
4.7.4. TOTAL COST OWNERSHIP
4.8. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
5. RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES MARKET BY DEVICE
5.1. OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) DEVICES
5.1.1. SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OCT (SD-OCT)
5.1.2. SWEPT-SOURCE OCT (SS-OCT)
5.1.3. HANDHELD OCT
5.2. FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY DEVICES
5.3. FUNDUS CAMERAS
5.3.1. MYDRIATIC FUNDUS CAMERAS
5.3.2. NON-MYDRIATIC FUNDUS CAMERAS
5.3.3. HYBRID FUNDUS CAMERAS
5.3.4. ROP FUNDUS CAMERAS
5.4. RETINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS
5.4.1. OPHTHALMIC A-SCAN ULTRASOUND
5.4.2. OPHTHALMIC B-SCAN ULTRASOUND
5.4.3. OPHTHALMIC ULTRASOUND BIOMICROSCOPES
5.4.4. OPHTHALMIC PACHYMETERS
5.5. ULTRA WIDEFIELD RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES
5.6. WIDEFIELD RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES
5.7. OTHER DEVICES
6. RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES MARKET BY APPLICATION
6.1. DISEASE DIAGNOSIS
6.2. TREATMENT MONITORING
6.3. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
7. RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES MARKET BY INDICATION
7.1. DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
7.2. AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD)
7.3. GLAUCOMA
7.4. RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION
7.5. OTHER INDICATIONS
8. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
8.1. KEY STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS
8.1.1. MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
8.1.2. PRODUCT LAUNCHES & DEVELOPMENTS
8.1.3. PARTNERSHIPS & AGREEMENTS
8.1.4. BUSINESS EXPANSIONS & DIVESTITURES
8.2. COMPANY PROFILES
8.2.1. CANON INC
8.2.1.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.1.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.1.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
8.2.2. CARL ZEISS MEDITEC AG
8.2.2.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.2.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.2.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
8.2.3. HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING GMBH
8.2.3.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.3.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.3.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
8.2.4. KOWA COMPANY LTD
8.2.4.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.4.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.4.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
8.2.5. NIDEK CO LTD
8.2.5.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.5.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.5.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
8.2.6. OPTOS PLC
8.2.6.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.6.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.6.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
8.2.7. TOPCON CORPORATION
8.2.7.1. COMPANY OVERVIEW
8.2.7.2. PRODUCT LIST
8.2.7.3. STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1: MARKET SNAPSHOT - RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES
TABLE 2: MARKET BY DEVICE, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2022-2024 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 3: MARKET BY DEVICE, FORECAST YEARS, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 4: MARKET BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) DEVICES, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2022-2024 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 5: MARKET BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) DEVICES, FORECAST YEARS, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 6: MARKET BY FUNDUS CAMERAS, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2022-2024 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 7: MARKET BY FUNDUS CAMERAS, FORECAST YEARS, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 8: MARKET BY RETINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2022-2024 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 9: MARKET BY RETINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS, FORECAST YEARS, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 10: MARKET BY APPLICATION, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2022-2024 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 11: MARKET BY APPLICATION, FORECAST YEARS, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 12: MARKET BY INDICATION, HISTORICAL YEARS, 2022-2024 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 13: MARKET BY INDICATION, FORECAST YEARS, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
TABLE 14: KEY PLAYERS OPERATING IN THE SOUTH KOREAN MARKET
TABLE 15: LIST OF MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
TABLE 16: LIST OF PRODUCT LAUNCHES & DEVELOPMENTS
TABLE 17: LIST OF PARTNERSHIPS & AGREEMENTS
TABLE 18: LIST OF BUSINESS EXPANSIONS & DIVESTITURES
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: KEY MARKET TRENDS
FIGURE 2: PORTER’S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS
FIGURE 3: GROWTH PROSPECT MAPPING FOR SOUTH KOREA
FIGURE 4: MARKET MATURITY ANALYSIS
FIGURE 5: MARKET CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS
FIGURE 6: VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS
FIGURE 7: KEY BUYING CRITERIA
FIGURE 8: SEGMENT GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY DEVICE, IN 2025
FIGURE 9: OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) DEVICES MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 10: SEGMENT GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY (OCT) DEVICES, IN 2025
FIGURE 11: SPECTRAL-DOMAIN OCT (SD-OCT) MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 12: SWEPT-SOURCE OCT (SS-OCT) MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 13: HANDHELD OCT MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 14: FLUORESCEIN ANGIOGRAPHY DEVICES MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 15: FUNDUS CAMERAS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 16: SEGMENT GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY FUNDUS CAMERAS, IN 2025
FIGURE 17: MYDRIATIC FUNDUS CAMERAS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 18: NON-MYDRIATIC FUNDUS CAMERAS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 19: HYBRID FUNDUS CAMERAS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 20: ROP FUNDUS CAMERAS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 21: RETINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 22: SEGMENT GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY RETINAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS, IN 2025
FIGURE 23: OPHTHALMIC A-SCAN ULTRASOUND MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 24: OPHTHALMIC B-SCAN ULTRASOUND MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 25: OPHTHALMIC ULTRASOUND BIOMICROSCOPES MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 26: OPHTHALMIC PACHYMETERS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 27: ULTRA WIDEFIELD RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 28: WIDEFIELD RETINAL IMAGING DEVICES MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 29: OTHER DEVICES MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 30: SEGMENT GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY APPLICATION, IN 2025
FIGURE 31: DISEASE DIAGNOSIS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 32: TREATMENT MONITORING MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 33: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 34: SEGMENT GROWTH POTENTIAL, BY INDICATION, IN 2025
FIGURE 38: DIABETIC RETINOPATHY MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 35: AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD) MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 36: GLAUCOMA MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 37: RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
FIGURE 38: OTHER INDICATIONS MARKET SIZE, 2026-2034 (IN $ MILLION)
