OCT market seen reaching $4.77 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the optical coherence tomography market for healthcare and life sciences will rise from $2.63 billion in 2026 to $4.77 billion by 2030, driven by demand for non-invasive imaging, eye disease diagnosis and broader use beyond ophthalmology. North America led the market in 2025, while Asia-Pacific is projected to grow fastest.

Why it matters: - Optical coherence tomography is becoming a core imaging tool for diagnosing and monitoring eye disease and other conditions. - The market growth points to rising demand for high-resolution, non-invasive diagnostics across healthcare and life sciences. - Expanding use in cardiology, dermatology and tele-ophthalmology signals a wider commercial and clinical footprint.

What happened: - The Business Research Company released a 2026 market report on optical coherence tomography for healthcare and life science. - The report estimates the market will grow from $2.26 billion in 2025 to $2.63 billion in 2026. - The report forecasts the market will reach $4.77 billion by 2030. - The report uses a 16.1% compound annual growth rate for the forecast period. - North America accounted for the largest market share in 2025. - Asia-Pacific is projected to be the fastest-growing region over the coming years.

The details: - Optical coherence tomography uses light waves to create detailed cross-sectional images of tissue structures. - The technology is used mainly in ophthalmology for retinal imaging and diagnosis of eye conditions. - OCT also supports tissue assessment in other medical fields. - The market’s recent growth is tied to rising eye disorder prevalence, broader use of ophthalmic diagnostic tests and continued imaging technology advances. - Growth is also linked to expansion of specialty eye clinics and early use in research. - The report cites increasing incidence of ocular disease as a key driver. - Aging populations and higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes are contributing to that rise. - OCT provides detailed imaging of the retina and optic nerve for early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring. - The report cites Review of Optometry data showing glaucoma affects about 80 million people worldwide. - The same source says open-angle glaucoma represents 95% of cases. - The source also says more than three million people in the United States live with glaucoma. - It projects the global number of glaucoma cases will exceed 111 million by 2040. - Additional growth drivers include point-of-care diagnostics, tele-ophthalmology and investment in imaging innovation. - Emerging trends include AI-assisted image analysis, portable and handheld OCT devices, broader non-ophthalmology use and stronger integration with digital health platforms. - The report covers Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. - New 2026 report features include market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspots infographics, key technologies and future trend analysis, and updated graphics and tables. - The report includes a free sample and the full market report through The Business Research Company. - Free sample - Full market report

Between the lines: - The report frames OCT as a mature ophthalmology tool moving into adjacent specialties. - AI integration and portable devices suggest the next phase of competition may center on convenience, workflow speed and broader clinical adoption. - Regional growth outside North America may reflect rising healthcare access and imaging investment in Asia-Pacific.

What's next: - The market is expected to keep expanding through 2030 as point-of-care and non-invasive imaging use rises. - Adoption should continue to increase as digital health platforms and AI tools become more embedded in imaging workflows. - Broader specialty use could open new demand outside traditional eye care.