Analyze the Competitive Factors within the Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals Markets.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46115) has announced the addition of "U.S. Leading Ophthalmic Diseases Markets" to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service entitled U.S. Leading Ophthalmic Diseases Markets addresses patient dynamics and forecasts, product analysis, competitor and pipeline analysis, and market revenue forecasts for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic dry eye, ocular allergy and ocular NSAID markets.

Market Sectors

The market sectors discussed in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals markets research service are:

* age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

* chronic dry eye

* ocular allergies

* ocular NSAIDs

Wet AMD is the focus of the AMD market analysis and allergic conjunctivitis (seasonal and perennial) is the main focus in the ocular allergy market.

The products in the U.S. Opthalmic Pharmaceutical Markets Include: Visudyne, Macugen, Restasis, Acular, Acular LS, Voltaren, Nevanac, Xibrom, Patanol, Zaditor, Emadine, Alomide, Pred Mild, Opticom, Alocril, Elestat, Crolom, Alrex, Optivar, Alamast, Livostin and Vasocon

The purpose of the study is to analyze the competitive factors within the ophthalmic pharmaceuticals markets including patient forecasts, revenue forecasts, product analysis and pipeline analysis.

Market Overview

Low Medication Compliance Limits Revenue Potential

There are numerous factors limiting patient compliance in ophthalmic pharmaceuticals markets including high dosage frequency, inconvenient administration, a polypharmacy approach in therapy, high cost of therapy, intolerance of side effects and adverse reactions, and forgetfulness. Many ophthalmic medications such as those used to treat allergic conjunctivitis have high dosage frequencies such as four times daily for many allergic conjunctivitis medications. New products entering the market have a greater success of increasing compliance if administration frequency is reduced. The new version of Patanol is highly anticipated for this reason as it offers a once-daily dosing. Similarly in the AMD market high dosing is compounded by the requirement to have the medication administered in the physician's office due to intravitreal injection delivery. This inconvenience and discomfort results in reduced compliance. The impact of non-compliance is far reaching and includes decrease in efficacy and reliability of medications, increasing progression of the condition, and increasing overall economic cost.

This research service addresses patient dynamics and forecasts, product analysis, competitor and pipeline analysis, and market revenue forecasts for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), chronic dry eye, ocular allergy and ocular NSAID markets.

Shifting Demographics will Result in Increased Demand for Treatment

Many ophthalmic diseases including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and dry eye that result in potentially compromised vision and vision loss present themselves in the later stages of life. Often age-related conditions, such as dry eye, predispose patients to other ocular conditions such as ocular allergies resulting in tremendous growth in the overall ophthalmic patient base.

According to a 2004 study conducted by the National Eye Institute (NEI), blindness or low vision impacts around 3.3 million Americans age 40 and over with projections reaching 5.5 million by 2020. The leading cause of blindness among white Americans is AMD accounting for 54 percent of all blindness cases with cataract and glaucoma representing the leading cause of blindness among African Americans. The elderly comprise the majority of blindness or low vision population with people age 80 and older accounting for 69 percent of blindness but making up only 8 percent of the population. As the population in the United States ages, healthcare and social services will be significantly burdened with increased demand for ophthalmic-related diagnosis and treatment that improves, restores, and preserves sight. Therapy ease of use is expected to be of considerable importance among an elderly patient base. Shifting demographics is expected to increase demand for treatment and fuel the development of innovative ophthalmic pharmaceuticals to address the critical needs of an aging population throughout the forecast period.

Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals Markets Considered High Growth Markets

With a top-heavy age distribution, high-unmet medical needs, and many new therapeutics expected to hit the market in the next several years, the U.S. Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals market consisting of AMD, chronic dry eye, ocular allergy and ocular NSAID markets is expected to grow from $1.26 billion in 2005 to $5.02 billion by 2012.

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