Synoptophore Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Diagnostic, Therapeutic), By Type (Manual, Automated), By End-user (Hospitals, Clinics), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global synoptophore market size was valued at USD 207.7 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% from 2020 to 2027. Increasing prevalence of visual acuity disorders such as amblyopia, strabismus, diplopia, and other convergence insufficiency ailments are some of the primary factors driving the growth of the market. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 1-5% of the total world population suffers from amblyopia. The increasing prevalence of risk factors leading to amblyopia and strabismus is expected to drive the demand for synoptophore machines in the long run. For instance, there are multiple risk factors causing amblyopia that includes strabismus, uncorrected refractive errors, premature birth, cataract, ptosis, traumatic head injury, and hereditary factors. It is estimated that over 120,000 new cases of strabismus are reported each year in the U.S.

The versatility and accuracy of synoptophore in performing comprehensive binocular vision assessments, used in diagnosis and management of strabismus and amblyopia have increased its adoption rate in ophthalmic centers. The important binocular measurements such as the angle of deviation (subjective/objective), abnormal retinal correspondence, angle kappa, and stereopsis can be quickly and effortlessly performed using a synoptophore.

Growing awareness about early diagnosis of amblyopia and strabismus to avoid surgical interventions in the future has led to several schools and colleges organizing comprehensive eye examination camps supported by public and private organizations. The reliability and reproducibility of synoptophore in assessments of these ocular motility disorders make them an integral part of eye examination procedures boosting the market growth.

Application Insights

The diagnostic segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 54.7% in 2019. Synoptophore is commonly used in the diagnoses of ocular muscular imbalance through simultaneous perception, sensory and motor fusion, and stereopsis tests. However, the availability of alternatives such as photo screen and prism cover test that are less complex, patient compliant, and cost-effective in the diagnosis of amblyopia and strabismus have hindered the growth of the segment. For instance, in 2016 a handheld device called Pediatric Vision Scanner (PVS) was cleared by the FDA that showed 95% accuracy in the diagnosis of amblyopia and strabismus.

Therapeutic is an emerging trend and is expected to experience a significant CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. The shifting focus from non-invasive to minimally invasive treatment procedures in ophthalmic care has increased the acceptance of synoptophore in the treatment of amblyopia. Additionally, a research paper reported that successful amblyopia therapy can be performed using synoptophore. However, accessibility and compliance are the major concerns reported by patient catering synoptophore for therapeutic purposes. In such cases, hospitals are developing miniatures sized synoptophore by locally available materials such as LED lights, synoptophore slides, and binocular toys for patients to use at home. Thereby, the commercialization of small-sized synoptophore intended for home health care is expected to enter the market.

Type Insights

The manual synoptophore segment held the largest market share of 56.8% in 2019 and is anticipated to witness a healthy growth rate over the forecast period. This is attributable to its low maintenance cost and the commercial availability of most of the synoptophore instruments as manual type. The manual type of synoptophore is still in demand in some of the developing countries with price-sensitive buyers.

Automated synoptophore machines are expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period. The ability of automated synoptophore to perform visual acuity tests quickly and efficiently adhering to a standard protocol with minimal orthoptic intervention is the factor contributing to its surging growth. Moreover, an increased number of research activities being carried to fully automated and digitalized synoptophore workflow is expected to boost segment growth.

End-user Insights

The hospitals segment accounted for the largest global revenue share of 49.7% in 2019 in the synoptophore market. The increasing number of emergency patient visits with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and cerebral palsy are expected to propel the demand for synoptophore in hospitals. According to the American Optometric Association, convergence insufficiency is reported in 32% of the patients reporting with traumatic brain injury. In such cases, synoptophore are used in performing several purposes from vision therapy at the active rehabilitation stage, to follow-up visual acuity examination at the post-rehabilitation stage.

Clinics are expected to witness a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. The shorter wait time increased accessibility, and low cost compared to hospitals are the factors contributing to the growth of the segment. Moreover, the increasing number of orthoptics entering practice coupled with the growing rural prevalence of amblyopia is expected to propel the growth of this segment during the forecast period.

Academic and research centers, ambulatory eye care centers, and military eye check camps are included in the other end-user segment. The increasing utilization of synoptophore in clinical studies related to ophthalmology will boost the growth of the segment. Moreover, the growing intent of academic centers to provide hands-on experience of advanced synoptophore to its budding orthoptics is expected to spur market growth.

Regional Insights

In North America, the market accounted for the largest revenue share of 26.4% in 2019 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. The presence of key market players, rising incidence of strabismus and amblyopia, and increasing inclination towards non-surgical treatment methods have contributed to its largest market share. According to the JCHR, over 12.0 million population of the U.S. alone are affected by amblyopia.

Europe held a significant proportion of the market share in the market and is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The increasing number of local manufactures of the ophthalmic diagnostic device coupled with growing awareness about advanced technologies in ophthalmic care is factors expected to boost the market growth.

In Asia Pacific, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast. The growing healthcare standards in developing economies such as India, China, and Japan coupled with a large base of the pediatric population are the factors driving the demand for synoptophore in the region. Moreover, the developing healthcare infrastructure related to ophthalmology care to meet the continuously increasing healthcare demand is also expected to enhance the growth of the market in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is highly fragmented with the presence of numerous domestic suppliers providing products at low cost. Key companies are observed to be investing in R&D to develop products with improved features. For instance, Haag-Streit Group has spent hours of engineering to develop an improved version of synoptophore to meet strict IEC 60601-1 regulatory requirements. The company states that over 130 internal parts are changed and replaced in this new synoptophore for safety and accurate measurement of ocular motility disorders.

The market players are adopting various strategies such as partnerships, product launches, collaborations, reinforcing distribution networks, and mergers and acquisitions to sustain in the highly competitive market. For instance, in June 2020, Haag-Streit announced the acquisition of VRmagic, a German-based company operating in the field of providing simulators for ophthalmology training. The acquisition will be completing Haag-Streit offering to eye care professionals in the key field of training. Some of the prominent players in the synoptophore market include:

• Prkamya Visions

• 6 6 VISION-TECH CO., LTD.

• Shanghai link instrument co. ltd.

• Nanjing Redsun Optical Co., Ltd. 

• Gem Optical Instruments Industries

Synoptophore Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global synoptophore market report on the basis of application, type, end-user, and region:

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Diagnostic

  • Therapeutic

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Manual

  • Automated

• End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Hospitals

  • Clinics

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • The U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Russia

    • The Netherland

    • Switzerland

    • Turkey

    • Poland

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

    • Indonesia

    • Philippines

    • Taiwan

    • Hong Kong

    • Malaysia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

    • Colombia

    • Chile

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait

    • Qatar