Global eye care company Alcon is strengthening its investment strategy in India, citing the country’s rapidly growing demand for vision care, increasing prevalence of myopia among younger populations and expanding need for advanced cataract treatment. The company is also evaluating future manufacturing opportunities in India as part of its long term growth strategy.

India has emerged as one of Alcon’s priority growth markets, driven by its large population, rising digital device usage and an increasing burden of preventable vision disorders. The company plans to expand access to innovative ophthalmic technologies while investing in surgeon training, clinical education and advanced surgical solutions to improve patient outcomes across the country.

Alcon said it aims to enable advanced cataract care for millions of patients by 2030, supporting India’s efforts to tackle one of the leading causes of blindness. According to WHO, at least 2.2 billion people worldwide live with vision impairment or blindness, while cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. In India, cataract accounts for a significant proportion of avoidable blindness, making timely surgical intervention a public health priority.

The company also highlighted the growing concern of digital eye strain and myopia, particularly among children and young adults, driven by prolonged screen exposure and changing lifestyles. Global studies estimate that nearly half of the world’s population could be myopic by 2050, underscoring the need for early diagnosis, preventive eye care and innovative vision correction technologies.

Beyond product innovation, Alcon is exploring opportunities to strengthen its footprint in India through potential local manufacturing, aligning with the country’s push to expand domestic medical technology production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Industry experts believe India’s expanding healthcare infrastructure, growing awareness of eye health and rising adoption of premium ophthalmic technologies make the country a strategic market for global eye care companies. Alcon’s continued investment is expected to enhance access to advanced cataract surgery, refractive solutions and vision care technologies while supporting the long term growth of India’s ophthalmology ecosystem.