South Africa Cataract Surgery Devices Market Overview,2030

South Africa’s cataract surgery devices market has evolved from basic cataract extraction tools used during the apartheid-era public health expansions into a more sophisticated, mixed public–private ecosystem dominated by phacoemulsification systems and intraocular lenses (IOLs), while large teaching hospitals and private ophthalmic centres in urban centres adopted modern phaco units and premium IOLs from the 1990s onward, rural areas and under-resourced provinces have lagged behind, producing a dual-market landscape shaped by unequal access, rising life expectancy, and growing demand for vision-restoring procedures. South Africa’s cataract surgical rate remains below WHO targets in several provinces, pointing to an unmet public-health need that keeps pressure on devices and outreach programmes to expand cataract camps, screening initiatives and mobile surgical services opportunities that device manufacturers and NGOs often cite when planning procurement or donation programmes. Commercially, marketing and promotion of cataract devices in South Africa balances professional-targeted scientific engagement with institutional sales strategies aimed at hospital procurement teams and group purchasing organizations. Regulation and certification are central constraints and enablers: medical devices including phaco units and IOLs are subject to classification, registration and licensing requirements under the national regulator (SAHPRA), which updated device classification guidance and enforces conformity assessment, import controls and post-market vigilance manufacturers and distributors must therefore comply with technical documentation, sometimes reference approvals from recognized regulators, and navigate importation and local-representation rules that can extend time-to-market and influence pricing.

According to the research report ""South Africa Cataract Surgery Devices Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the South Africa Cataract Surgery Devices market is anticipated to grow at 5.15% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. With the country’s population aging rapidly and lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension on the rise, cataracts have become one of the leading causes of preventable blindness. This growing burden has increased the demand for cataract surgeries and, consequently, for advanced surgical devices such as phacoemulsification machines, intraocular lenses (IOLs), viscoelastic substances, and surgical microscopes. The private healthcare sector, equipped with modern facilities and skilled ophthalmic surgeons, has been quick to adopt premium cataract surgery devices, including foldable and multifocal IOLs that enhance post-surgery vision quality. Meanwhile, the public sector is progressively catching up through government-led programs and collaborations with NGOs to eliminate cataract backlogs, creating a broader demand base for cost-effective and durable devices suitable for high-volume operations. The market’s growth is further supported by rising healthcare expenditure, insurance coverage, and the increasing awareness of vision health among South Africans. One interesting fact is that South Africa performs tens of thousands of cataract surgeries annually, yet the national cataract surgical rate still falls below the World Health Organization’s target, indicating a massive untapped market potential. Technological innovation is another major growth factor the transition from manual small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) to phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted procedures has increased the need for more precise, efficient, and patient-friendly devices. Moreover, the demand for affordable premium lenses is increasing as patients become more informed about post-surgery lifestyle benefits.

Intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) represent the most significant segment of the market, as cataract surgery remains one of the most frequently performed procedures in the country. The South African government, through its national blindness prevention programs and partnerships with non-profit organizations like the South African National Council for the Blind (SANCB), has prioritized cataract surgery as a key public health focus. Public hospitals and mobile surgical units predominantly use standard monofocal IOLs, which are affordable and effective for large-scale vision restoration campaigns. However, private hospitals and specialized eye-care centers are increasingly adopting premium IOLs such as multifocal, toric, and accommodating lenses, catering to patients seeking advanced visual outcomes and refractive independence. This dual-market structure reflects both the strong social healthcare base and a growing demand for technologically advanced ophthalmic solutions. Phacoemulsification systems have become the preferred technology for cataract removal in major hospitals and urban clinics, as they offer enhanced safety, precision, and faster recovery compared to traditional manual techniques. The use of modern phaco systems continues to expand as more surgeons receive specialized training and access to advanced equipment through both public-private collaborations and international eye health programs. Ophthalmic viscoelastic devices (OVDs) play a crucial role in ensuring surgical precision and protecting intraocular tissues, with steady demand across both public and private sectors. Femtosecond laser systems, while still limited to high-end private facilities in cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, are gradually entering the market through premium surgical offerings that promote bladeless, high-precision cataract removal.

Public hospitals under the National Department of Health are the primary providers of cataract surgeries, offering free or subsidized procedures through government programs aimed at reducing cataract-induced blindness. These hospitals rely on cost-efficient IOLs, basic phacoemulsification systems, and reusable surgical instruments to manage high patient volumes efficiently. The government, along with international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and local NGOs, often supports mobile cataract surgery campaigns that reach rural and underserved populations, significantly increasing device utilization rates. On the other hand, private hospitals play a vital role in advancing the market’s technological frontier. Facilities such as the Pretoria Eye Institute, Mediclinic, and Netcare Group hospitals invest heavily in the latest phaco systems, premium IOLs, and femtosecond laser technologies to deliver high-quality, precise cataract surgeries. These hospitals cater to middle- and upper-income patients as well as international medical tourists, offering advanced surgical care with shorter recovery times. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are emerging rapidly as part of South Africa’s shift toward outpatient surgical models. These centers focus on high-efficiency, same-day cataract surgeries using compact and cost-effective phaco systems. Ophthalmology clinics serve as critical touchpoints in the patient journey, offering eye examinations, diagnostic imaging, and postoperative care, and often collaborating closely with surgical hospitals. Academic and research institutions, such as the University of Cape Town’s Department of Ophthalmology and the University of the Witwatersrand, play a pivotal role in surgical training, device testing, and the promotion of advanced techniques across the country.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Cataract Surgery Devices Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Intra-ocular Lenses (IOL)
• Phacoemulsification Systems
• Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices
• Femtosecond Laser Systems
• Others (Knives and Low-Cost Consumables)

By End User
• Hospitals
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers
• Ophthalmology Clinics
• Academic and Research Institutes Show more