Astigmatism Epidemiology Forecast 2034

• Astigmatism twists the eye’s optical clarity, as the cornea or lens bends light unevenly, distorting focus. Instead of a single, sharp image, the retina receives a blurred, stretched projection due to mismatched curvatures. This optical chaos disrupts both near and distant vision, demanding the brain to compensate for the visual confusion.
• Astigmatism is spiking as our digital lives surge—prolonged screen time and shrinking outdoor play are reshaping young eyes, especially post-pandemic. Age-related changes and genetic factors further fuel this optical epidemic, turning a once-stable condition into a growing public health concern. The modern world’s visual demands are bending the curve, literally, on our corneas and clarity. 
• Despite a world of corrective lenses and surgeries, astigmatism’s true burden lingers, many patients still struggle with blurry vision, glare, and poor night driving, especially when coexisting eye conditions muddy the waters. A striking portion remain dissatisfied with standard corrections, craving solutions that fit their lifestyle and deliver crisp, stable sight all day. 
• The rising number of astigmatism cases is primarily driven by increased screen time and reduced outdoor activities, especially among children and young adults in our digital age.

DelveInsight’s “Astigmatism – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of astigmatism, historical and forecasted epidemiology trends in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan. 

Geography Covered

• The United States
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom
• Japan

Study Period: 2020–2034

Astigmatism Understanding

Astigmatism Overview

Astigmatism is a common refractive error that occurs when the cornea or lens has an irregular curvature. This uneven shape prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. In most cases, astigmatism can be effectively corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Refractive surgery such as LASIK may also be an option to permanently correct the condition. Regular eye exams are important for early detection and appropriate management of astigmatism.

Astigmatism Diagnosis

Astigmatism is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. This includes a series of tests to assess overall eye health and a refraction test to measure how light is focused by the eyes. During the exam, your eye doctor may use different instruments, shine bright lights into your eyes, and ask you to look through multiple lenses. These tests help evaluate various aspects of your vision and determine the appropriate prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses to achieve clear vision.

Further details related to diagnosis are provided in the report…

Astigmatism Epidemiology

The astigmatism epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by total prevalent cases of astigmatism, total diagnosed prevalent cases of astigmatism, age–specific diagnosed prevalent cases of astigmatism and gender–specific diagnosed prevalent cases of astigmatism in the 7MM covering, the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034. 

• As per the secondary research, in the US, among the participants who completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the age-standardized prevalence of astigmatism were 36.2% respectively.
• In the US, a research study shows a 10% increase in prevalence of astigmatism between the 1970s and 2000s populations (14% vs 24%). 
• In the UK, literature reports the prevalence of oblique astigmatism to range between 11% and 19%. 
• In Germany, the prevalence of refractive astigmatism greater than 1.0 diopter was 13.0% in right eyes and 12.0% in left eyes. Among those with astigmatism, 85% were spectacle wearers.
• In Japan, data from the Tohoku Medical Megabank Eye Study found that the prevalence of astigmatism is 51.1%. Factors such as age, gender, intraocular pressure, and corneal thickness were found to be significantly associated with the presence of astigmatism.

KOL Views

DelveInsight’s analysts collaborated with over 30+ key opinion leaders (KOLs), conducting in-depth interviews with more than 15+ experts across the 7MM. To keep pace with dynamic market trends, the team gathered first-hand insights from KOLs and subject matter experts (SMEs) through primary research, addressing data limitations and reinforcing findings from secondary research. These professionals offered valuable input on the astigmatism landscape, highlighting patient behavior trends, and challenges in access to care. Contributors included experts from renowned institutions such as the National Eye Institute, US; Wilmer Eye Institute, US; Moorfields Eye Hospital, UK, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK; Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Japan; and Toho University School of Medicine, Japan, among others.

“Astigmatism generally progresses gradually, and without correction, can lead to chronic visual strain, headaches, and impaired visual development. In some cases, especially with underlying conditions like keratoconus, corneal irregularity worsens over time. Progressive astigmatism may require advanced interventions such as rigid lenses or surgery. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing long-term visual complications.”

 “Astigmatism is a common refractive error in adolescents and is increasingly linked to developmental and functional visual issues. Uncorrected astigmatism may contribute to visual discomfort, eye strain, and reduced academic performance. It is also associated with an increased risk of amblyopia and delayed visual-motor development. The irregular curvature of the cornea or lens causes optical defocus, affecting normal visual processing. Environmental and anatomical factors can influence its progression during critical growth periods.” 

“Rising levels of induced with-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism are associated with a global reduction in vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD), showing a more symmetrical decline in the vertical quadrants compared to the horizontal ones, with the most pronounced effect observed nasally. This pattern may be attributed to the high concentration of horizontally oriented vessels in the nasal region and the horizontal optical defocus caused by WTR astigmatism.”

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of astigmatism, explaining its causes, signs and symptoms, and currently available diagnostic algorithms and guidelines.
• Comprehensive insight has been provided into the epidemiology segments and forecasts, the future growth potential of diagnosis rate, disease progression, and diagnosis guidelines.
• The report provides an edge for understanding trends, expert insights/KOL views, and patient journeys in the 7MM.
• A detailed review of current challenges in establishing the diagnosis.

Astigmatism Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Total Prevalent Cases of Astigmatism
• Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Astigmatism
• Age-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Astigmatism
• Gender-specific Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Astigmatism

Astigmatism Report Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 
• Key Cross Competition 
• Attribute Analysis

Key Questions

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burden, and unmet needs of astigmatism?
• What is the historical astigmatism patient population in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain) and the UK, and Japan?
• What would be the forecasted patient population of astigmatism at the 7MM level?
• What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to astigmatism?
• Out of the above-mentioned countries, which country would have the highest prevalent population of astigmatism during the forecast period (2025–2034)?
• At what Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) the population is expected to grow across the 7MM during the forecast period (2025–2034)?

Reasons to Buy

• Insights on patient burden/disease prevalent, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To analyze epidemiological trends of astigmatism across different regions and assess how these patterns may evolve in the coming years.
• Distribution of historical and current patient share based on real-world prescription data along with reported sales of approved products in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan.
• Detailed insights on various factors hampering disease diagnosis and other existing diagnostic challenges.
• To understand the perspective of key opinion leaders around the current challenges with establishing the diagnosis options.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the forecast period covered in the report?

The astigmatism epidemiology report for the 7MM covers the forecast period from 2025 to 2034, providing a projection of epidemiology dynamics and trends during this timeframe.

2. Out of all EU4 countries and the UK, which country had the highest population of astigmatism cases?

Among the EU4 countries and the UK, Germany reported the highest prevalence of astigmatism cases.

3. How is epidemiological data collected and analyzed for forecasting purposes?

Epidemiological data are gathered from a combination of sources, including population surveys, clinical studies, and health records. These data are then analyzed using statistical and mathematical models to estimate disease rates, identify trends, and project future disease burden.

4. Which severity level accounts for the highest number of prevalent astigmatism cases across the 7MM?

The mild severity level accounts for the largest proportion of prevalent astigmatism cases across the 7MM markets.