Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis Epidemiology Summary

• GPC is a chronic inflammatory eye condition that develops when large papillae form on the inner eyelid surface, most often due to contact lens wear, ocular prostheses, or exposed sutures. It leads to persistent ocular irritation, mucus discharge, intolerance to contact Lenses, and a decline in visual comfort and quality of life.
• Our secondary analysis estimates that in the US, around ~12 million people wear contact lenses, out of which nearly 1–5% develop GPC, highlighting the significant burden of ocular discomfort, lens intolerance, and reduced quality of life among affected individuals. 
• In Germany, secondary research indicates that 6.2% of individuals wear contact lenses, underscoring its considerable use and highlighting the relevance of understanding associated risks, as prolonged or improper lens wear is a major factor linked to the development of GPC.
• A major challenge in GPC is the lack of precise epidemiological data. Although it is a frequent complication in contact lens wearers, inconsistencies in diagnostic criteria, underreporting, and the absence of standardized surveillance hinder accurate estimation of its true prevalence and burden, underscoring the need for stronger data collection efforts.
• A significant challenge in GPC lies in its diagnosis. The condition frequently overlaps with other ocular surface disorders, and the absence of universally accepted diagnostic criteria or standardized tools creates uncertainty. This lack of clarity makes establishing a definitive diagnosis difficult, leading to variability in identification and reporting.

DelveInsight’s “Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) – Epidemiology Forecast – 2034” report delivers an in-depth understanding of GPC, historical and forecasted epidemiology trends in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and 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

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis Understanding

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Overview

GPC is a chronic ocular condition that arises primarily in contact lens wearers, characterized by the formation of enlarged papillae on the inner eyelid surface and persistent ocular irritation. It develops when mechanical, immunological, or material-related factors trigger conjunctival changes, leading to ongoing discomfort and intolerance. The condition may appear soon after lens use or gradually over time, often linked to prolonged wear, lens deposits, or ocular prosthetic use.

GPC commonly manifests with itching, redness, excessive mucus discharge, and blurred vision due to unstable contact lens positioning. In more severe or prolonged cases, it may be associated with marked lens intolerance, persistent ocular discomfort, and a significant decline in visual comfort and quality of life.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Diagnosis

The diagnosis of GPC is primarily based on clinical evaluation rather than laboratory testing, with emphasis on characteristic eyelid changes, ocular discomfort, and correlation with contact lens wear or ocular prosthesis use. Symptoms may emerge soon after lens wear begins or develop gradually over time, with common presentations including itching, redness, mucus discharge, blurred vision, and intolerance to Lenses. In more chronic or severe cases, patients may experience persistent irritation and a marked decline in visual comfort and quality of life.

Severity is assessed through slit-lamp examination, focusing on the size and distribution of papillae on the tarsal conjunctiva, as well as the extent of conjunctival changes. If not accurately diagnosed, GPC can contribute to ongoing ocular discomfort, disrupted visual function, and significant impact on daily activities.

Further details related to disease understanding are provided in the report…

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Epidemiology

The GPC epidemiology chapter in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by total diagnosed prevalent cases of patients wearing contact lenses, total diagnosed prevalent cases of GPC, and treated cases of GPC in the 7MM covering, the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), United Kingdom, and Japan from 2020 to 2034. 

• As per our secondary analysis, percentage of Spanish population that wear contact lenses are approximately 10% of the total population, highlighting the widespread adoption of Lenses and the need for deeper insights into demographic variations influencing their use.
• In the UK, the prevalence of contact lens use is about 8.9%, reflecting not only a preference for alternatives to spectacles but also the influence of lifestyle and cosmetic choices in vision correction.
• In Japan, approximately 0.6% of individuals are affected by GPC, highlighting the considerable burden of ocular discomfort and complications associated with contact lens use.

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 epidemiology 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 GPC landscape and highlighting patient behavior trends. Contributors included experts from renowned institutions such as the University of Texas Health at San Antonio, US; Medical Eye-Care Center, Germany; University of Poitiers, France; Bio-Medico University of Rome, Italy; University of Málaga, Spain; University of Exeter Medical School, the UK; Aichi Medical University, Japan, and Rakuno Gakuen University, Japan, among others.

As per KOLs from the US, “A substantial proportion of GPC cases may go under recognized, particularly in contact lens wearers presenting with nonspecific ocular irritation. Experts note that the overlap of symptoms with allergic conjunctivitis or dry eye often leads to variability in diagnosis and reporting, making it challenging to accurately assess its true prevalence. This diagnostic gap underscores the critical need for standardized criteria and robust data collection to better characterize the burden of GPC”.

As per KOLs from Germany, “Delayed or missed diagnosis of GPC remains a significant challenge, especially among long-term contact lens users with subtle or progressive symptoms. Many cases are identified only after discomfort and intolerance become severe, emphasizing the importance of precise diagnostic frameworks and improved clinical awareness to ensure accurate identification of this condition.”

As per KOLs from Japan, “The absence of nationally coordinated surveillance for GPC poses a significant barrier to understanding its true burden. Many cases, particularly those with gradual onset or overlapping ocular surface conditions, remain under recognized in daily practice. Experts stress the need for systematic epidemiological studies, stronger reporting systems, and broader clinician awareness to provide clearer insights into the prevalence and impact of GPC.”

Scope of the Report

• The report covers a segment of executive summary, descriptive overview of GPC, 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.

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Report Insights

• Patient Population
• Country-wise Epidemiology Distribution
• Total Prevalent Cases of Contact Lenses 
• Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of GPC
• Treated Cases of GPC

Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis (GPC) Key Strengths

• 10 years Forecast
• The 7MM Coverage 

Key Questions

Epidemiology Insights

• What are the disease risk, burden, and unmet needs of GPC?
• What is the historical GPC patient population in the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the UK, and Japan?
• What would be the forecasted patient population of GPC at the 7MM level?
• What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to GPC?
• Out of the above-mentioned countries, which country would have the highest prevalent population of GPC 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 prevalence, evolution in diagnosis, and factors contributing to the change in the epidemiology of the disease during the forecast years.
• To analyze epidemiological trends of GPC 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.