How the Fundus Camera Market Is Evolving: Strategies,Trends & Future Opportunities

The fundus camera is a keystone device in ophthalmology, and
it provides detailed views of the fundus for early diagnosis and monitoring of
various conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related
macular degeneration. With the increasing prevalence of eye diseases due to an
aging population, diabetes, and increasing awareness for screening, the fundus
camera market faces rapid growth.

The fundus camera market size is anticipated to increase from US$ 708.01
million in 2022 to US$ 1,298.25 million by 2030; it is estimated to record a
CAGR of 7.9% from 2020 to 2030.

Growth Strategies

Product Differentiation and Technological Innovation:
Major players make significant investments in new designs, including cameras
that do not require pupil dilation, portable handheld models, hybrid systems
incorporating fundus photography combined with OCT, and AI-enabled diagnostic
workflows.

Integration of AI and Tele-ophthalmology: The companies are embedding AI algorithms that can automatically detect retinal disease, thus enhancing throughput for mass screening programs and facilitating
applications in telemedicine.

Geographic Expansion: Companies are targeting
emerging markets, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, because of better
infrastructure in healthcare and a greater prevalence of diabetes and eye
diseases.

Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations:
Companies are entering into partnerships with AI companies, research
institutes, and public health agencies for the codevelopment of screening
programs. For example, NIDEK has collaborated with software companies to
integrate AI into its systems.

Reducing Price Barriers: Devices that are modular,
scalable-in particular, portable-and tiered will enable firms to address
high-end eye clinics and resource-constrained settings.

Future Trends & Opportunities

Portable & Handheld Fundus Cameras: There is
increasing demand for handheld, non-mydriatic fundus devices especially for
remote screening, community outreach, and primary-care teleophthalmology.

Ultra-Widefield Imaging: Wider field-of-view cameras
are gaining traction, enabling clinicians to capture peripheral retina and spot
pathologies that may be missed by standard-field devices.

AI-driven Screening Programs: With FDA-cleared
platforms for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, and improved
reimbursement policies for AI-interpreted images, these screening programs will
scale dramatically.

Beyond Ophthalmology: New research has been emerging
regarding the use of retinal imaging as a window into systemic diseases-such as
cardiovascular risk and neurodegeneration-opening up new avenues of clinical
application.

Pediatric & Neonatal Screening: Fundus imaging
for ROP and other pediatric retinal disorders will increase, which will drive
the demand for small-footprint, safe, and fast cameras.

Key Market Segments

By Type

Mydriatic Fundus Camera

Non-Mydriatic Fundus Camera

Hybrid Fundus Camera

ROP Fundus Camera

By Portability

Handheld and Tabletop

By Application

Diabetic Retinopathy

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Retinal Vascular Disorders

By End User

Hospitals

Ophthalmology Centers

Key Players & Recent Developments

Nikon Corporation (via Optos)

The fundus imaging business of Nikon is closely related to
its Optos subsidiary, renowned for ultra-widefield imaging.

The iF Design Award was won by its RetinaStation fundus
camera in 2020, underlining intuitive, fully automatic operation, and
high-resolution imaging.

The RetinaStation, released in 2019, offers 12 megapixel
imaging with a 75+° montage mode that allows wide coverage.

Topcon Corporation

In January 2023, Topcon launched the NW500, a fully
automatic, non-mydriatic robotic fundus camera. Slit-scan illumination and a
12-megapixel sensor allow high-quality imaging in standard lighting conditions
without dilation.

Their TRC-50DX is a mydriatic, high-resolution camera
offering multimodal imaging: color, red-free, fluorescein angiography (FA),
fundus autofluorescence (FAF), and indocyanine green (ICG) in some versions.

Topcon also expanded through acquisition, purchasing VISIA
Imaging, a company that strengthened Topcon’s position in anterior-segment
imaging.

NIDEK Co., Ltd.

NIDEK is considered a market leader in fundus cameras, with
strong global presence.

Building on its advanced fundus cameras for improved
connectivity and image management in modern clinical workflow, NIDEK introduced
the AFC-330 Plus in 2024.

They have also collaborated with Thirona (RetCAD AI) and
integrated AI screening for diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular
degeneration into their NAVIS-EX software.

Conclusion

The convergence of clinical need, technology, and health
policy portends robust growth for the fundus camera market. Innovations in
design, particularly non-mydriatic and portable systems, are democratizing eye
care when combined with the power of AI and telemedicine. Key players such as
Nikon, Topcon, and NIDEK are moving aggressively: Nikon with its design-forward
RetinaStation; Topcon, with automated, robotic imaging systems; and NIDEK, with
high-connectivity, AI-integrated platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is a fundus camera, and why is it important?

The fundus camera is an important ophthalmic device to take
pictures of the retina (behind the eye), which will enable early diagnosis of
retinal diseases, monitor their progress, and guide treatment.

Q2. What is the difference between mydriatic and
non-mydriatic fundus cameras?

Mydriatic cameras require dilating the pupils with drops,
whereas non-mydriatic devices can image without dilation and thus are much
quicker and more patient-friendly, especially for screening.

Q3. Why is the integration of AI in fundus cameras
important?

AI algorithms may automatically detect
abnormalities-diabetic retinopathy is one example-from fundus images, enhancing
the speed and consistency of screening, and thus facilitating remote diagnosis.

Q4. For what are handheld fundus cameras used?

Handheld fundus cameras are portable, so they can be used
for community outreach, teleophthalmology, rural clinics, and primary-care
screening.

Q5. Which regions are driving growth in the fundus camera
market?

While North America currently holds a significant share, it
is the Asia-Pacific region that will see the fastest growth, driven by rising
healthcare access, increasing prevalence of diabetes, and government screening
initiatives.