Eye Care in Norway

2020 IMPACT

Increasing use of screen time, heightened during Q1 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, impacts the demand for standard eye care

Eye care is predicted to drive double-digit growth in 2020, with standard eye care being the key driver of both growth and sales, with allergy eye care set to record single-digit growth. This high level of growth is being driven by Norwegians lifestyles, which are increasingly including more time with electronic screens.

Allergy eye care continues to be driven by the population in Norway that suffers from pollen allergies, as the pollen count rises

According to the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association (NAAF), approximately 20% of the Norwegian population (one million people) suffer from some sort of pollen allergy. However, growth in allergy eye care is projected to be lower than standard eye care in 2020, as the intensity of the pollen season shifts on an annual basis and allergy eye care is a more volatile category.

Norwegians rely on branded eye care products, as SantenPharma AB extends its lead during 2020

Théa Nordic AB’s is reducing the strong position it once had in the landscape, coming in second in 2020 underneath SantenPharma AB. This is due to the poor performance of Viscotears, which is struggling against the competition from Hyprosan and Oftagel.

RECOVERY AND OPPORTUNITIES

The ongoing use of digital screens, partnered with a rise in allergies, supports high levels of growth

Sales will be aided by the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, as consumers used screens for an increased amount of time, during periods of home seclusion. Across the forecast period, growth for eyecare is predicted to remain strong, with an expected current value CARG of 9%.

The ageing population in Norway support the growth of eye care across the forecast period

The ageing population in the country is set to continue supporting sales across the forecast period, as the population aged above 65, will continue increasing across the coming years. Older consumers are more likely to suffer from eye strain and dry eye disease, and therefore, the ageing of the overall population will be an ongoing driver of both sales and growth.

Technological improvements in contact lenses are a challenge to growth in standard eye care

Value growth in standard eye care will be challenged by new developments in the field of eye health, across the forecast period. This includes options such as eye laser technology, as well as the growing sales of contact lenses, created to use with digital screens.