Brief
Alcon targets growth in India's premium eye‑care market with new glaucoma treatment
Alcon’s India head Vyas outlines regulatory timelines, training programmes and market potential for premium lenses and a new glaucoma product.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Alcon, the global ophthalmic specialist, announced plans to introduce a new glaucoma treatment in India while targeting a rise in premium intraocular lens (IOL) use, according to senior executive Vyas of the company.
What happened
Alcon launched its updated trifocal IOL, PanOptix Pro, in India on October 8. The lens claims 94% light utilisation versus 88% for the earlier PanOptix platform. Vyas said the company expects premium IOL penetration to climb from under 3% of the estimated 85‑90 lakh annual cataract surgeries to about 10% within five years.
What the reports add
The source notes that regulatory approval for ophthalmic equipment in India can take six to nine months after submission of required documents. Surgical products currently represent roughly 85% of Alcon’s Indian revenue, with vision‑care products (including contact lenses) making up the remaining 15%; globally the split is about 55% surgical and 45% vision care.
What was said
“There is not enough awareness among patients about what options are available,” Vyas told Business Today.
“Unless you have enough education, enough training facilities available for surgeons to really go and equip themselves better, I do not think it is going to work,” Vyas added.
How it came about
Alcon’s focus on India has grown over the past decade, making the country one of its larger international markets. The company collaborates with Aravind Eye Hospital for surgeon education and has trained nearly 600 surgeons in cataract surgery over the past two years. A new centre in Coimbatore will train about 60 vitreoretinal surgeons annually.
Key facts
- Alcon launched PanOptix Pro, an updated trifocal intraocular lens, in India on Oct 8. (businesstoday.in)
- Premium IOLs currently account for less than 3% of cataract surgeries in India; Alcon aims for 10% penetration in five years. (businesstoday.in)
- Regulatory approvals for ophthalmic equipment in India typically take six to nine months after document submission. (businesstoday.in)
- Surgical products make up about 85% of Alcon's Indian business, with vision‑care products at 15%. (businesstoday.in)
- Alcon has trained nearly 600 cataract surgeons in two years and will train around 60 vitreoretinal surgeons annually at its Coimbatore centre. (businesstoday.in)
Sources
- [1] businesstoday.in — originally reported as “Alcon plans new glaucoma treatment in India, targets premium eye care growth”
