Ophthalmic equipment

The main articles are:

• Sight
• Ophthalmology

Types of ophthalmic equipment

Ophthalmic equipment can be conditionally divided into 3 categories: diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic.

Diagnostic equipment

Diagnostic equipment is used for comprehensive eye examination, assessment of visual acuity, condition of eye structures and detection of pathologies.

• Autorefkeratometer. Provides automatic detection of refraction (myopia, farsightedness, astigmatism) and corneal curvature (keratometry). This is the main device for the selection of points and contact lines;
• Slit lamp (Biomicroscope). Allows you to view the anterior and posterior segments of the eye under large magnification: eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, lens and vitreous body. Indispensable for the diagnosis of inflammation, cataracts, injuries.
• Tonometer. Measures intraocular pressure (IOP). A key device for the diagnosis and control of glaucoma.
• Ophthalmoscope. It is used to examine the fundus (retina, vessels, optic nerve).
• Optical coherent tomograph (OST/OCT). It is used to determine the boundaries of the field of view and identify defects in it (livestock). The main method of diagnosis and observation of glaucoma, as well as lesions of the optic nerve and brain.
• Ultrasonic scanner. It is designed to measure the axial length of the eye and the thickness of the lens, as well as to visualize the internal structures of the eye, when the fundus is not visible due to opacities (cataract, hemorrhage).
• Keratotopograph. Its purpose is to create a detailed map of the relief and curvature of the surface of the cornea. It is used for diagnostics of keratoconus, selection of contact lenses and planning of refractive operations.
• Pachymeter. It is used to measure the thickness of the cornea.
• Fluorescent angiograph. It is used for studies of retinal vessels. Contrast (fluorescein) is introduced into the blood, and a special camera records its passage through the vessels of the fundus.

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Фото: heffingtons.com

Also, the diagnostic equipment category includes devices for selecting vision correction means:

• Dioptrimeter (Linzmeter). It is used to determine the optical power (diopters) and other parameters of finished glasses and spectacle lenses.
• Sign projector (Optotype). Projects letters or other symbols onto the screen to check for visual acuity in the distance.
• Keratometer. It is used to manually measure the curvature of the cornea to select rigid and some types of soft contact lenses.

Surgical equipment

• Ophthalmic surgical microscope Provides the necessary magnification and illumination for the surgeon's work during operations (cataracts, vitreoretinal surgery, etc.).
• Phacoemulsifier. This is the main device for cataract removal.
• Vitreot. This is a device for vitreoretinal surgery. Performs vitreous cutting and aspiration during operations for retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhages.
• Systems for laser operations.

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Фото: Assil Eye Institute

Therapeutic equipment

• Fundus lamp
• Exiloophthalmometer. The purpose is to measure the degree of proptosis or subsidence of the eyeball from the orbit.
• Optical biometric. With its help contactless and high-precision measurement of all parameters of the eye (length, curvature of the cornea, depth of the anterior chamber) is carried out to calculate the intraocular lens (artificial lens of the eye).

Digital technologies

As Поликлиника.ру ophthalmologist Vladimir Evgrafov told Zdrav.Expert, Russian doctors actively use AI systems in their practice, for example, to analyze retinal images. So, AI can indicate signs of diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration faster than humans, and with a high degree of accuracy. Several technologies (for example, IDx-DR) have been created for the autonomous diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy without the participation of a doctor. OKTAS and OKTAS angiography analysis algorithms automatically classify AMD, glaucoma, and macular edema.

According to Vladimir Evgrafov, ophthalmologists use cloud platforms in their work, which allow transferring images to a patient even to remote regions. Thus, he can receive treatment recommendations, monitor the dynamics of the disease without the need for a constant visit to the clinic. Automated algorithms assist the physician in interpreting data and choosing treatment tactics.

Another area of ​ ​ development of digital technologies in ophthalmology is the system for VR-diagnostics of vision. They allow you to independently check and diagnose vision. For this, special glasses integrated with a smartphone are used, continues Evgrafov.

Ophthalmologist Andrei Atamanenko, in a conversation with Zdrav.Expert, noted that by 2025 the direction of smart technologies is actively developing: digital navigation during surgery, systems that themselves suggest optimal parameters, and 3D models of the eye that help predict the result. Robotic surgery and new materials for artificial lenses are on the way, Atamanenko noted.

Market estimates

2024

Global Ophthalmic Ultrasound Scanner Market Size Reaches $283.9 Million for the Year

According to the results of 2024, the costs on the global ophthalmic [| ultrasound]] scanning market amounted to $283.9 million. More than 40% of global spending was in the North American region. Such data is provided by Fortune Business Insights, published on June 30, 2025. Read more here

Global Ophthalmology Diagnostic Equipment Market Size Reaches $2.57 Billion for the Year

At the end of 2024, the costs of the global market for diagnostic equipment for ophthalmology amounted to about $2.57 billion. More than a third of this volume was in the North American region. Such data are provided in the Fortune Business Insights review published in early April 2025.

The study said that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the industry. Due to quarantine restrictions, the demand for tools for examination and diagnostics fell sharply: many people around the world postponed routine vision tests. At the same time, medical institutions were focused on the fight against coronavirus, and therefore other non-urgent procedures were canceled. In addition, the operation of equipment supply chains was disrupted, and therefore the procurement of diagnostic units was complicated.

Another problem for the analytics industry is the lack of qualified specialists in the field of ophthalmology. The situation is worsened by the aging of the population and an increase in the prevalence of eye diseases. In a number of regions of the world, there is a significant imbalance between supply and demand in the labor market in the sector in question. The shortage of trained personnel limits the effective deployment and use of advanced diagnostic technologies, which negatively affects the growth of the market. At the same time, the high cost of modern ophthalmic systems limits the ability of medical institutions to purchase them.

Among the stimulating factors are technological advances, including the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning. In particular, AI algorithms are able to analyze retinal images with high accuracy and efficiency, identifying and assessing the severity of various ailments, including diabetic retinopathy. The introduction of AI accelerates the processing of large amounts of data and reduces the burden on ophthalmologists. In addition, the development of telemedicine is changing the landscape of ophthalmic diagnostics, making these services more accessible and effective.

According to a 2023 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), about 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of visual impairment. The increasing prevalence of these eye diseases imposes a significant social and economic burden. In particular, visual impairment turns into a huge financial burden: the annual global damage from the resulting decline in labor productivity is estimated at $411 billion. In this regard, the demand for diagnostic equipment for ophthalmology is growing, which helps in identifying visual disorders and prescribing timely treatment.

By device type, the market is segmented into optical coherence tomography systems, fundus cameras, ophthalmic ultrasound devices, etc. In 2024, the largest share of revenue was provided by solutions of the first of these types. From a geographical point of view, North America leads, where costs in 2024 reached $0.99 billion. Significant players in the global industry are named:

• Carl Zeiss Meditech;
• Alcon;
• EssilorLuxottica;
• Canon Medical Systems;
• Bausch + Lomb;
• Nidek;
• Topcon;
• Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems;
• Haag-Streit Group;
• Visionix.

Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 6.4%. As a result, by 2032, costs on a global scale could rise to $4.21 billion.^[1]

Chronicle

2025

A mobile ophthalmological device is being created in Russia for the early detection of pathologies and eye diseases

The Design and Prototyping Center NRNU MEPHI is preparing a pre-production prototype of the second version of the portable. ophthalmologic device MEPhI announced this on September 4, 2025. The device, called EyeZor, belongs to the category of so-called ophthalmic perimeters - i.e. analyzers of sight human fields. More. here

NanOptics has tripled the production of artificial eye lenses

NanOptics Since 2022, LLC has produced more than 230 thousand intraocular lenses. This was announced on July 7, 2025 by the Minister, Governments of Moscow Head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy Anatoly Garbuzov. Read more here.

2024

Russian schools began to supply devices with a neural network to check the vision of students

In Russian schools, a large-scale program begins to introduce devices with a neural network to check the vision of students. This became known in August 2024. New equipment developed on the basis of the software and hardware complex "Okulist Igor," will begin to enter educational institutions from the beginning of the new academic year. This initiative is aimed at automating the process of screening the vision of schoolchildren and ensuring timely prevention of visual impairment among children. Read more here

In Russia, they developed and began to use a portable device, which blind replaces the guide dog

At the end of July 2024, it became known that Russia began to use an innovative portable device that could replace a guide dog for blind people. The development, created by specialists of the Novosibirsk State Technical University NETI, is a compact electronic "guide" that uses vibration and voice notification to warn the user about obstacles within a radius of up to 4 meters. Read more here

Moscow company released an ultrasound vision system for the visually impaired

In January 2024, the Moscow company "Rukep" presented a new version of the ultrasonic vision system for the visually impaired "Echo Sonar." The device is a flexible rim that can be attached to the headgear. The device is based on the principle of echolocation. Read more here.

2023: First device using photonics and artificial intelligence principles to detect eye disease unveiled

On November 29, 2023, medical technology company Zilia introduced the Ocular FC system, developed for non-invasive evaluation of ocular biomarkers. The complex is designed to detect ophthalmic diseases. Read more here.

2022

Device for comfortable instilling of drugs in the eyes released

In mid-December 2022, the American company Eyenovia presented a new device for comfortable and effective delivery of drugs to patients' eyes. The compact electronic device is called Optejet. Read more here.

In Russia, created a smart cane for the blind

At Cherepovets State University (ChSU), with the support of a grant allocated by the government of the Vologda region, they developed a smart cane for the blind. The device determines the distance to objects and recognizes obstacles in front of and on the sides of a person, the press service of the university said on July 25, 2022. Read more here.

Alcon launches portable dry eye treatment device

In early April 2022, Alcon developed the Systane iLux MGD, a versatile portable thermal pulsation device with imaging technology to produce infrared photos and high definition video of the meibomian glands. The system allows patients to verify the need for treatment, visualize the procedure and feel the results of the treatment of dry eye disease after a week of use of the device. Read more here.

2021

Machine Learning Vision Checker Output

In September 2021, the company Source Audio Labs"" (resident Skolkovo""), which is part of the Source-Audio group, announced the entry into the videonitagmograph market. Vison The hardware and software complex that received the program with machine learning is designed to check the sharpness. sight More. here

Announcement of robotics with a 3D camera for the blind

In mid-September 2021, a robotic cane with a 3D camera is presented, which can accurately direct the user to the selected place, avoiding obstacles. The novelty has already begun to be used by blind people. Read more here.

2019: Human-controlled robot for microsurgical eye operations

Human-controlled robot for microsurgical eye operations, May 2019.

Notes