OTC Artificial Tears Market Key Players Analysis, Company Profiles, Strategic Developments, Mergers, Product Innovations, Revenue Insights, and Future Forecasts

Global OTC Artificial Tears Market Size and Forecast, 2025-2033

The OTC Artificial Tears market is estimated to grow significantly at US$ 7.22 billion by 2033 from US$ 4.93 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 4.88% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2033. Several factors have come together to drive this upward graph in the market. Increasing access to public access locations such as shopping malls, airports, and recreation centers will improve access to artificial tear products for consumers; the expansion in ambulance services has increased awareness regarding health issues related to the eyes and, therefore, the benefits of eye care products, including artificial tears, when emergencies crop up.

Artificial tears are among those popular ophthalmic solutions that aim to comfort a very common symptom among millions of sufferers worldwide: dry eyes. These eye drops imitate the properties of natural tears, hydrating and lubricating for comfort in cases of irritation, caused either by environmental factors, prolonged periods of screen time, or due to several medical conditions.

Artificial tears have enjoyed this high level of popularity due to the increasing prevalence of dry eye syndrome. More people have become susceptible due to aging, air pollution, and continuous exposure to digital screens; hence, the demand for effective relief options has surged. There are numerous artificial tear formulations, including preservative-free ones for sensitive patients or those who require more frequent applications.

Additionally, awareness about eye health has increased on a global scale; both consumers and healthcare professionals turn to effective treatments for dryness and irritation. With more brands manufacturing innovative solutions, artificial tears are widely available over the counter, thus being easily accessible to a broad audience. Due to such flexibility and wide access, artificial tears have become one of the most essential components of eye care routines internationally.

Top 5 Companies in the Global OTC Artificial Tears Market

AbbVie Inc

Establishment: 2013

Headquarters: United States of America

AbbVie Inc. is a specialty biopharmaceutical firm that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes drugs for treating complex and serious diseases. The company's therapeutic focus includes the areas of rheumatology, dermatology, gastroenterology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, aesthetics, infectious diseases, pulmonology, endocrinology, and others. It offers contract manufacturing services to produce antibody drug conjugates, aseptic fill-finish, mAbs and mAb, custom API's and eye care solutions, among others. AbbVie products are available to patients worldwide through physicians, wholesalers, distributors, government agencies, health care facilities, specialty pharmacies, and independent retailers, among others. It has manufacturing facilities in the US, Italy, Ireland, Costa Rica, Germany, France, and Singapore.

Akorn Inc.

Establishment: 1971

Headquarters: United States of America

Akorn Operating Company LLC, formerly Akorn Inc, is a specialty pharmaceutical company. It develops, manufactures, and commercializes branded and prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC), eye care, and consumer health, as well as animal health and eye care products. The company offers its products in both sterile and non-sterile dosage forms including oral liquids, otics, ophthalmics, injectables, topicals, inhalants, and nasal sprays. The company caters to physicians, surgery centers, clinics, optometrists, hospitals, long-term care, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, group purchasing organizations, and other pharmaceutical companies.

Alcon

Establishment: 1945

Headquarters: Switzerland

Alcon Inc (Alcon) is a developer and manufacturer of devices used in ophthalmology. The company's portfolio includes contact lenses and surgical products, comprising implantables, consumables and surgical equipment. The company's products are indicated for the treatment of various conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. It conducts clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its products for the prevention and cure of blindness and different eye diseases. Alcon's pipeline products are developed through collaboration with institutions, medical innovators, research advisors and academic thought leaders. The company has operations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and Asia Pacific.

Bausch Health Companies Inc.

Establishment: 1960

Headquarters: Canada

Bausch Health Companies Inc (Bausch Health) manufactures, develops, and commercializes medical devices, over-the-counter products (OTC), and pharmaceutical products. The company offers products for therapy areas related to dermatology, gastroenterology, eye health, neurology, aesthetic devices, dentistry, and consumer health. It offers various generic and branded generic products. Bausch Health has administrative, research and laboratory, marketing, distribution, and warehousing facilities worldwide. The company offers products directly or indirectly in various regions across the world including the US, Canada, Africa, Middle East, Australia, Latin America, and Europe. It also operates manufacturing facilities in the US, Brazil, Columbia, Germany, and Canada, among others.

Johnson & Johnson

Establishment: 1886

Headquarters: United States of America

Johnson & Johnson is a healthcare company involved in the research, development, manufacturing, and selling of innovative medicines and medical technologies. The company primarily conducts its business through its operating companies. The company offers pharmaceutical products for therapy areas that include immune disorders, oncology, neurological disorders, infectious, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases; and medical devices used in the fields of cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurovascular care, general surgery, and vision care. The company's products are sold to retailers, wholesalers, healthcare professionals, and hospitals. It has manufacturing facilities in the US, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Western Hemisphere (excluding the US), and Latin America.

Product Launches in the OTC Artificial Tears Market

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

April 2023 - Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited announced that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries has launched a new ophthalmology treatment, CEQUA(R), in India for patients suffering from Dry Eye Disease (DED) with inflammation, a commonly occurring condition. CEQUA(R) is the first dry eye treatment available in India that is delivered with nanomicellar (NCELL(R)) * technology.

Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Abdi Ibrahim, the leader of the Turkish pharmaceutical industry for 23 consecutive years, entered into a strategic partnership with Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., one of Japan's most prominent pharmaceutical companies. Within this framework, we have reintroduced Rohto's innovative eye health product to patients in Turkiye, assured by Abdi Ibrahim, as of February 2025.

SWOT Analysis of Company

Abbott Laboratories Inc.

Strength - Strong Brand Reputation and Global Ophthalmic Expertise

The most significant strength in the OTC artificial tears market for Abbott Laboratories Inc. lies in its established brand credibility and advanced ophthalmic product portfolio. Due to a long legacy of quality health solutions, the company maintains strong consumer trust within the eye care segment of its business. Combining deep-rooted knowledge of ophthalmology and heritage in contact lens care/dry eye treatment product development enables Abbott to present scientifically validated and highly effective artificial tear formulations. A strong R&D setup supports continuous product innovation in eye hydration, tear film stability, and preservative-free formulations catering to consumer comfort and safety. Furthermore, it benefits from a global distribution network and strategic partnerships with optometrists and pharmacies to ensure accessibility to all. Product quality, clinical support, and brand reliability are therefore areas where the company places high emphasis, making it one of the key players within the competitive OTC artificial tears market both among medical professionals and in the eyes of consumers across the world.

Cipla Limited

Strength - Affordable Innovation and Strong Presence in Emerging Markets

The greatest strength of Cipla Limited in the OTC artificial tears market is its commitment to affordable healthcare innovation and deep market penetration across emerging economies. Strong pharmaceutical expertise enables the company to develop quality, affordable ophthalmic formulations for the management of dry eye, including lubricating and moisturizing eye drops. Due to its accessible pricing and mass-market distribution, the company is preferred by consumers who look for reliable but reasonably priced eye care solutions. Advanced manufacturing facilities, fully compliant with global regulatory standards, ensure a continuous supply of quality and safe products. Besides, strong marketing capabilities and an extensive retail presence in India, Africa, and other developing regions are giving Cipla a fair competitive advantage. This company is focused on R&D-driven differentiation, such as preservative-free and long-acting artificial tear products, which reinforces its leading position in both over-the-counter and prescription eye care. Innovation and affordability continue to fuel Cipla's expansion into the artificial tears segment around the world.

Recent Development in the OTC Artificial Tear Market

Nicox S.A.

May 2025, Nicox has announced the results of its Whistler phase 3b exploratory clinical trial investigating the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects of NCX 470 ophthalmic solution, 0.1%, in healthy volunteers and ocular hypertensive patients. NCX 470 is Nicox's lead clinical product candidate and is a novel NO-donating bimatoprost eye drop with a dual mechanism of action (nitric oxide and prostaglandin analogue). The Whistler phase 3b exploratory trial was a double-masked, placebo-controlled study in 18 healthy volunteers or patients with ocular hypertension. Measurements were taken at baseline and after 8 days at 1 PM and, for some parameters, at 3 PM. Patient population in the trial was primarily normotensive healthy volunteers with mean baseline IOPs of 16.6 mm Hg and 16.9 mm Hg for NCX 470 and placebo-treated patients, respectively.

URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH

In September 2024, URSAPHARM extended the 'concept for healthy eyelids' by launching EvoTears(R) OMEGA eye drops as a comprehensive and coordinated therapeutic approach for the individual treatment and care of lid margin inflammation (blepharitis) and meibomian gland dysfunction. The extended treatment concept comprises products for heat treatment, daily lid margin hygiene, and care regarding the treatment of eyelid diseases. Thus, eyelid diseases like blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction, hordeolum, or chalazion are being treated. Symptoms such as dryness, burning, itching, redness, or swelling can be alleviated this way. The function of the meibomian glands is improved and tear film stability increased.

Sustainability Objective

Novartis AG

Novartis AG's commitment to sustainability centers on the creation of long-term value by integrating ESG principles into all aspects of its operations. The company is targeting carbon neutrality across its operations by 2025 and net-zero emissions throughout its value chain by 2040. Novartis engages in a series of activities to reduce waste, conserve water, and source renewable energy in order to have lower environmental impact. On the social side, it emphasizes fair access to medications, worldwide health programs, and diversity/inclusion in the workforce. The company also invests in responsible supply chain practices and governance that ensure transparency and accountability. Science-driven innovation empowers Novartis to address global health challenges while driving progress toward planetary health. Its sustainability vision-"health for all, care for our planet"-reflects its commitment to delivering life-changing therapies responsibly, ensuring that progress in medicine helps create a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for generations to come.

CooperVision Inc.

CooperVision Inc.'s sustainability goal is to advance eye health while reducing environmental footprint, which means that its mission is to make vision care more sustainable and responsible. The Company has committed to net-zero plastic footprint across its operations through offsetting the same quantity of plastic that the contact lens products consume. CooperVision promotes circular economy principles by reducing and optimizing product packaging and using recycled materials. Its manufacturing facilities emphasize energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy use, meeting global environmental standards. Socially, CooperVision invests in vision care education and accessibility programs aimed at improving eye health in underserved communities globally. It fosters a culture of inclusion and environmental responsibility among employees. Combining innovation in contact lens technology with eco-conscious practices, CooperVision demonstrates how sustainable vision care can enhance human well-being and planetary health and has set new industry standards for environmental stewardship.

Market Segmentation

OTC Artificial Tears Market

• Historical Trends
• Forecast Analysis

Market Share Analysis - OTC Artificial Tears Market

AbbVie Inc

Overview

• Company History and Mission
• Business Model and Operations

Workforce

Key Persons

• Executive Leadership
• Operational Management
• Division Leaders
• Board Composition

Recent Development & Strategies

• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Partnerships
• Investments

Sustainability Analysis

• Renewable Energy Adoption
• Energy-Efficient Infrastructure
• Use of Sustainable Packaging Materials
• Water Usage and Conservation Strategies
• Waste Management and Circular Economy Initiatives

Product Analysis

• Product Profile
• Quality Standards
• Product Pipeline
• Product Benchmarking

Strategic Assessment: SWOT Analysis

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Opportunities
• Threats

Revenue Analysis

The above information will be available for all the following companies:

1. AbbVie Inc

2. Akorn Inc.

3. Alcon

4. Bausch Health Companies Inc.

5. Johnson & Johnson

6. Nicox S.A.

7. Novartis AG

8. Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

9. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

10. Abbott Laboratories Inc.

11. Cipla Limited

12. Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

13. CooperVision Inc.

14. Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc.

15. AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

16. URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH

17. OCuSOFT Inc.

18. OASIS Medical Inc.

19. Laboratoires Thea S.A.S.

20. GBN Pharmaceuticals