Industry Overview

China artificial tear market was valued at $335.6 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $588.1 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period (2026–2035). The China artificial tear market is expanding rapidly as eye-care institutions, retail pharmacies, and online pharmaceutical platforms respond to surging rates of dry eye disease across both urban and semi-urban populations. Growth is primarily fueled by intense digital screen exposure, increasing myopia rates, rising contact lens penetration, and environmental factors such as pollution and dry indoor conditions. Greater public awareness of ocular health and a significant increase in self-medication behavior are further accelerating demand for over-the-counter artificial tear products. The market is also benefiting from a strong pipeline of locally manufactured and imported formulations, including hyaluronic acid-based drops, lipid-rich emulsions, and preservative-free variants. Advances in packaging technologies, smart applicators, and long-lasting gel systems are improving accessibility and patient convenience. E-commerce dominance and expanding partnerships between global brands and domestic distributors continue to strengthen market penetration and adoption across China.

Market Dynamics

Rising Burden of Digital Eye Strain and Growing Consumer Awareness

The China artificial tear market is expanding rapidly as hospitals, eye-care centers, and retail pharmacies respond to rising dry eye disease prevalence across all age groups. Prolonged screen exposure, record-high myopia rates, urban pollution, and increasing contact lens usage are major contributors to growing demand for artificial tears. National health campaigns, digital awareness programs, and expanding access to ophthalmic services are further encouraging early dry eye management and routine ocular care.

Rapid Innovation and Strong Penetration of Advanced Formulations

Hyaluronic acid-based lubricants, lipid-rich emulsions, and preservative-free formulations are gaining strong momentum in China due to increasing preference for high-performance and irritation-free products. Both global manufacturers and domestic companies are launching innovative artificial tear solutions tailored to varying severities of dry eye symptoms. Technological advancements such as smart dispensers, long-lasting gel drops, and e-commerce–driven personalized product recommendations are enhancing convenience and treatment adherence. Strategic partnerships between multinational brands and local distributors are accelerating market penetration, underscoring China’s fast-growing and innovation-driven ocular care ecosystem.

Market Segmentation

• Based on type, the market is segmented into glycerin?derived tears, cellulose?derived tears, oil?based / emulsion?based tears, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based tears, propylene glycol-based tears, and hyaluronic acid.
• Based on the delivery mode, the market is segmented into eye drops and ointments.
• Based on the application, the market is segmented into dry eye syndrome, digital eye strain, and contact lens discomfort/moisture retention.
• Based on the end user, the market is segmented into retail pharmacies (OTC), online pharmacies, hospitals & ophthalmic clinics, and others.

Preservative-Free Drops Segment to Lead the China Market with the Largest Share

In the China artificial tear market, preservative-free drops hold the largest and fastest-growing share within the type of segment. Rapidly increasing awareness of ocular health, combined with concerns about irritation and long-term ocular surface damage linked to preservatives like benzalkonium chloride (BAK), has driven strong consumer preference for preservative-free options. Rising dry eye prevalence driven by extreme digital screen exposure, soaring myopia rates, worsening air pollution, and widespread contact lens adoption further boosts demand. Chinese ophthalmologists and optometrists increasingly recommend preservative-free formulations for both chronic and acute dry eye cases, reinforcing this segment’s leadership and accelerating its adoption across major urban centers.

Eye Drops: Key Segment Driving Market Growth in China

Eye drops remain the most dominant and rapidly expanding delivery mode within the China artificial tear market, serving as the primary driver of nationwide market growth. Their simplicity, quick symptomatic relief, and widespread consumer acceptance make eye drops the first-choice solution for mild to moderate dry eye symptoms. Intensifying digital lifestyles, harsh environmental conditions, high air pollution levels, and long working hours have significantly increased daily reliance on eye drops for hydration and comfort. Easy accessibility through retail pharmacies, hospitals, and rapidly growing e-commerce channels further fuels usage. As a result, eye drops continue to define China’s dry eye management landscape and remain a key force shaping the market’s growth trajectory.

Market Players Outlook

The major companies operating in the China artificial tear market include Alcon Inc., Bausch Health Companies, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision, Rohto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., among others. Market players are leveraging partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisition strategies for business expansion and innovative product development to maintain their market positioning.

Recent Development

• In October 2025, Santen Pharmaceutical launched a new hyaluronic acid-based preservative-free artificial tear product in China, tailored for high-frequency use among digital device users. The launch addresses the growing burden of digital eye strain in major cities.
• In September 2025, Alcon strengthened its Chinese portfolio with the introduction of a premium lipid-enhanced emulsion drop, targeting severe evaporative dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction conditions increasingly prevalent among urban populations.
• In July 2025, Shandong Qidu Pharma announced a strategic partnership with a leading Chinese digital health platform to develop AI-driven dry eye assessment tools integrated with personalized artificial tear recommendations. The collaboration reflects China’s rapid adoption of smart, technology-enabled eye-care solutions.

The Report Covers

• Market value data analysis of 2025 and forecast to 2035.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the China artificial tear market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new products and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.