Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Epidemiology

• Based on DelveInsight's forecast model, approximately 33 million of adults in the US are affected by atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can severely disrupt skin integrity, cause intense itching and discomfort, and negatively impact sleep, daily functioning, appearance, and overall quality of life. 
• In 2024, the total number of prevalent atopic dermatitis cases in EU4 and the UK was approximately 9 million in individuals under 18 years of age and about 21 million in those aged 18 years and older.
• In Japan, approximately 15.6% of adults are diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, as reported in studies.
• In the UK, approximately 25–42% of individuals with atopic dermatitis suffer from atopic keratoconjunctivitis, as reported in studies.
• In the US, approximately 8% of individuals with atopic dermatitis are affected by atopic keratoconjunctivitis, which has the potential to cause chronic eye inflammation, severe itching, and vision-threatening complications, and may adversely affect daily activities, visual function, appearance, and overall quality of life.
• Despite being a rare disease, atopic keratoconjunctivitis continues to face an unmet need for comprehensive and reliable epidemiological data. Although some figures are available, consistent, large-scale studies are limited, making it challenging to accurately capture its true prevalence, diagnostic patterns, and disease burden—hindering timely recognition, effective treatment planning, and resource allocation.
• Despite advances in allergy and ophthalmic care, atopic keratoconjunctivitis still faces an unmet need for improved early detection and standardized diagnostic criteria. Many cases remain underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to overlapping symptoms with other ocular allergies, leading to delays in appropriate treatment and increasing the risk of preventable vision impairment and long-term complications.

DelveInsight’s “Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of atopic keratoconjunctivitis, historical and forecasted epidemiology trends in the US, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), the UK, and Japan. 

Geography Covered

• The US
• EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the UK
• Japan

Study Period: 2020–2034

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Understanding

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Overview

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis is a chronic, severe allergic eye condition that affects the conjunctiva and cornea, most often seen in individuals with atopic dermatitis or other allergic diseases. Unlike mild allergic eye reactions, atopic keratoconjunctivitis involves ongoing inflammation, intense itching, thick mucus discharge, and corneal involvement that can compromise vision. Susceptibility differs from person to person, and even with reduced exposure to common allergens, some individuals continue to experience significant symptoms. Its persistent and progressive nature can lead to sight-threatening complications, underscoring its impact on daily life and overall well-being.

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Diagnosis

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis is diagnosed mainly through a detailed clinical assessment, as it often lacks clear-cut diagnostic tests and can easily be mistaken for more common, milder eye allergies. A thorough patient history revealing underlying atopic dermatitis or other allergic conditions, coupled with persistent symptoms like severe itching, thick mucus discharge, and signs of corneal involvement, are key clues for early recognition. However, overlapping features with other ocular allergies often lead to underdiagnoses or misdiagnosis, delaying timely care and increasing the risk of irreversible corneal damage. This underscores the need for greater clinical vigilance, better awareness among general practitioners and ophthalmologists, and standardized diagnostic guidelines to ensure that patients receive prompt, targeted treatment before sight-threatening complications develop.

Further details related to diagnosis are provided in the report…

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Epidemiology

The atopic keratoconjunctivitis epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Prevalent Cases of Atopic Dermatitis, Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Atopic Dermatitis, Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis, and Treated Cases of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis in the 7MM covering, the US, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan from 2020 to 2034. 

• In 2024, EU4 and the UK accounted for approximately 22 million diagnosed cases of atopic dermatitis, highlighting a notable burden of chronic skin inflammation.
• In the UK, findings revealed that atopic keratoconjunctivitis is associated with asthma in approximately 87% of cases, highlighting the strong connection between chronic eye allergy and coexisting respiratory conditions within the population.
• Secondary analysis suggests a higher prevalence of atopic keratoconjunctivitis among males compared to females in some regions, potentially reflecting gender-related differences in oral health awareness, behaviors, or biological susceptibility.

KOL Views

DelveInsight’s analysts collaborated with over 50 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 atopic keratoconjunctivitis landscape, highlighting patient behavior trends, and challenges in access to care. Contributors included experts from renowned institutions such as the University of Iowa, US; Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Germany; Rouen University Hospital, France; Turin University, Italy; University of Valladolid, Spain; University Hospitals NHS Trust, UK; and Tottori University, Japan; among others.

As per KOLs from the US, “atopic keratoconjunctivitis often remains under-recognized and inconsistently documented in routine clinical practice, resulting in fragmented or outdated prevalence estimates that do not reflect the true scale of the disease. This lack of standardized, up-to-date epidemiological tracking makes it challenging to quantify its actual burden, identify high-risk populations, and allocate appropriate healthcare resources—highlighting a clear unmet need for better surveillance systems and real-world data collection to guide more informed public health strategies.”

As per KOLs from the UK, “atopic keratoconjunctivitis often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its overlapping symptoms with other, more common ocular allergies. This diagnostic overlap leads to delays in appropriate treatment, increasing the risk of preventable corneal damage and vision impairment. This highlights a clear unmet need for clearer diagnostic pathways, increased clinical awareness, and standardized guidelines to help differentiate atopic keratoconjunctivitis from other allergic eye diseases in routine practice.”

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of atopic keratoconjunctivitis disease, 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.

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Prevalent Cases of Atopic Dermatitis
• Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Atopic Dermatitis
• Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis
• Treated Cases of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis

Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis Report Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 

Key Questions

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burden, and diagnosis of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis?
• What is the historical Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis patient population in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan?
• What would be the forecasted patient population of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis at the 7MM level?
• What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis?
• Out of the above-mentioned countries, which country would have the highest prevalent population of Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis 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 Atopic keratoconjunctivitis across different regions and assess how these patterns may evolve in the coming years.
• 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 atopic keratoconjunctivitis 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 Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis cases?

The highest cases of atopic keratoconjunctivitis were found in Germany among EU4 and the UK.

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

Epidemiological data is collected through surveys, clinical studies, health records, and other sources. It is then analyzed to calculate disease rates, identify trends, and project future disease burdens using mathematical models.

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

Moderate severity accounts for the highest number of prevalent Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis cases across the 7MM.