U.S. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Market Size, Share, Trends, & Industry Analysis Report

Overview

The U.S. optical coherence tomography (OCT) market size was valued at USD 482.38 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2025–2034. Key factors driving demand include growing awareness and focus on early diagnosis, high demand for minimally invasive (non-invasive) procedures, rising prevalence of chronic ophthalmic diseases, and expansion of OCT into non-ophthalmic applications

Key Insights

• The time domain optical coherence tomography held largest revenue share in 2024, driven by its entrenched installed base and proven reliability in standard ophthalmic diagnostic protocols.
• Doppler OCT is projected for the fastest growth, fueled by its unique value in providing simultaneous structural and functional blood flow imaging.
• Ophthalmology remains the dominant application segment in 2024, owing to the high volume of retinal disease management and OCT's standard-of-care status in the field.

Industry Dynamics

• The growing incidence of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma among aging U.S. adults is expanding the need for advanced diagnostic imaging like OCT.
• OCT technology is gaining adoption beyond ophthalmology, notably in cardiology and dermatology, leveraging its non-invasive, real-time microscopic imaging capabilities.
• High system costs and reimbursement limitations can restrict adoption, especially in smaller clinics and emerging non-ophthalmic applications.
• Integration of AI for automated analysis presents a major opportunity to improve diagnostic accuracy, workflow efficiency, and accessibility.

Market Statistics

• 2024 Market Size: USD 482.38 million
• 2034 Projected Market Size: USD 1,767.64 million
• CAGR (2025-2034): 13.8%

AI Impact on U.S. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Market

• AI algorithms analyze complex OCT scans with superior speed and consistency, identifying subtle pathological patterns often missed in manual review, thereby reducing diagnostic errors.
• Automated image analysis and report generation streamline clinician workflows, increasing patient throughput and alleviating bottlenecks in high-volume ophthalmic practices.
• AI leverages longitudinal OCT data to identify biomarkers predictive of disease progression, shifting treatment paradigms from reactive to proactive, personalized medicine.
• AI-powered decision-support tools empower primary care and optometry settings with specialist-level diagnostic capabilities, expanding access to advanced eye care and driving OCT adoption.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to capture high-resolution, cross-sectional images of biological tissues, particularly useful in ophthalmology and cardiology. In the U.S., the OCT market is driven by the growing awareness and focus on early diagnosis of chronic and vision-related conditions. The increasing focus on preventive healthcare and early disease detection, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, has strengthened the adoption of OCT systems in clinical settings. According to a May 2024 CDC report, approximately 9.6 million individuals of all ages in the United States were affected by diabetic retinopathy (DR) in 2021. Patients and healthcare providers are becoming increasingly proactive in identifying diseases at their early stages, thereby reducing long-term complications and treatment costs. This shift toward early intervention aligns closely with the capabilities of OCT, positioning it as a vital diagnostic tool in the U.S. healthcare ecosystem.

The U.S. OCT market is further driven by the high demand for minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures. Patients increasingly prefer diagnostic tools that deliver precise and reliable outcomes without the risks or discomfort associated with invasive techniques. OCT helps out by providing rapid, painless, and repeatable imaging, which enhances patient experience while supporting clinical decision-making. The trend toward minimally invasive procedures is further reinforced by healthcare providers’ focus on improving operational efficiency and reducing recovery times. As a result, OCT technology is witnessing greater integration across hospitals, specialty clinics, and outpatient centers in the U.S., establishing itself as a critical enabler of advanced and patient-friendly diagnostic practices.

Drivers & Opportunities

Rising Prevalence of Chronic Ophthalmic Diseases: The rising prevalence of chronic ophthalmic diseases is driving the expansion opportunities, as conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma are increasingly common among the aging population. According to a May 2024 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, 1.8 million U.S. adults aged 40 and older have AMD, while another 7.3 million with large drusen are at high risk for its onset. These diseases often progress silently, making regular and precise diagnostic imaging critical for timely intervention. OCT provides high-resolution imaging that enables clinicians to detect structural changes in the retina and optic nerve at very early stages, supporting better disease management and treatment planning. With the U.S. healthcare system placing strong emphasis on reducing the long-term burden of vision impairment, OCT is becoming indispensable in routine ophthalmic care and ongoing patient monitoring.

Expansion into Non-Ophthalmic Applications: The expansion of OCT into non-ophthalmic applications is broadening its role within the U.S. healthcare landscape. Beyond eye care, OCT is increasingly being adopted in cardiology, dermatology, oncology, and dentistry, where its non-invasive, real-time imaging capabilities are highly valuable. This diversification enhances its relevance across multiple specialties, enabling providers to gain detailed tissue insights without the need for invasive procedures. In cardiology, for example, OCT aids in evaluating vascular conditions, while in oncology, it supports the assessment of tumor margins. Such cross-specialty integration underscores the versatility of OCT and drives its wider adoption in the U.S., strengthening its position as a next-generation diagnostic imaging services.

Segmental Insights

Technology Analysis

Based on technology, the segmentation includes time domain optical coherence tomography (TDOCT), frequency domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT), spatially encoded frequency domain optical coherence tomography. The time domain optical coherence tomography (TDOCT) segment accounted for 42.02% revenue share in 2024 driven by its widespread clinical adoption and established presence in ophthalmology practices. TDOCT systems are valued for their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use, making them a practical choice for clinics and healthcare providers with limited resources. Despite the rise of more advanced technologies, TDOCT continues to maintain a strong market presence due to its role in routine retinal imaging and its integration into existing diagnostic workflows. This balance of accessibility and proven clinical utility supports its sustained market demand in the U.S.

Type Analysis

In terms of type, the segmentation includes catheter based OCT devices, doppler OCT devices, handheld OCT devices, tabletop OCT devices. The doppler OCT devices segment is expected to witness fastest growth during the forecast period at a CAGR of 15.1% during the forecast period driven by their advanced ability to capture both structural and functional information simultaneously. These systems enable real-time visualization of blood flow dynamics, in addition to tissue morphology, making them highly valuable in both ophthalmology and cardiovascular applications. Their integration enables the early detection of vascular abnormalities, providing clinicians with a more comprehensive diagnostic tool. The growing focus on precision imaging and advanced diagnostic capabilities is propelling the adoption of doppler OCT devices across U.S. healthcare environments.

Application Analysis

The segmentation based on application includes ophthalmology, cardiovascular, oncology, dermatology, other applications. The ophthalmology segment captured 71.02% revenue share in 2024 attributed to the high prevalence of vision-related disorders and the critical role of OCT in diagnosing and monitoring retinal diseases. OCT imaging has become a standard of care in U.S. ophthalmology clinics, providing detailed visualization of the retina and optic nerve for effective disease management and treatment. Its ability to detect subtle structural changes at early stages supports proactive treatment decisions, which is particularly important for conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration. The dominance of ophthalmology is further reinforced by the widespread use of OCT in routine eye exams and its integration into advanced ophthalmic care workflows across the nation.

Key Players & Competitive Analysis Report

The U.S. optical coherence tomography (OCT) market is characterized by intense competition, driven by continuous technological advancement and strategic moves by established medical device corporations and specialized OEMs. Competitive intelligence and strategy reveal that players are focusing on revenue growth through innovation in imaging speed and resolution, while also pursuing market expansion strategies into emerging market segments like cardiology and dermatology. A primary vendor strategy involves developing integrated platforms that combine structural and functional imaging, such as Doppler OCT, to create sustainable value chains and lock-in customers. Technological assessment indicates that disruptions and trends in AI integration for automated diagnostics represent the next frontier for competitive positioning. Furthermore, vendor assessment shows that companies are making strategic investments in R&D and partnerships to solidify their regional footprint and capitalize on latent demand within the vast U.S. healthcare system, ensuring their role in the future of industry ecosystems.

Major companies operating in the optical coherence tomography (OCT) industry include Abbott Laboratories; BaySpec, Inc.; KUB Technologies Inc.; Leica Microsystems; Lumedica, Inc.; Nanoscope Instruments, Inc.; Nidek America; Sensors Unlimited, Inc.; Thorlabs, Inc.; and Visionix.

Key Players

• Abbott Laboratories
• BaySpec, Inc.
• KUB Technologies Inc.
• Leica Microsystems
• Lumedica, Inc.
• Nanoscope Instruments, Inc.
• Nidek USA
• Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
• Thorlabs, Inc.
• Visionix

Industry Developments

• June 2024: Eversight and LighTopTech collaborated on a four-year partnership. The collaboration will integrate a dual-modality OCX system, combining OCT and OCM, to advance imaging for corneal tissue analysis in clinical and research settings.
• May 2024: The FDA granted De Novo authorization for Notal Vision's SCANLY Home OCT. This self-operated device captures retinal images for patients with neovascular AMD, using AI to analyze biomarkers for disease management.

U.S. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Market Segmentation

By Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Time Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (TDOCT)
• Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FD-OCT)
• Spatially Encoded Frequency Domain Optical Coherence Tomography
  • Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FDOCT)
  • Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SDOCT)

By Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Catheter based OCT devices
• Doppler OCT devices
• Handheld OCT devices
• Tabletop OCT devices

By Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)

• Ophthalmology
• Cardiovascular
• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Other Applications

U.S. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Market Report Scope