United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
A keratometer measures the curvature of the front surface of the eye. Eye clinics use it to fit contact lenses, plan cataract surgery and track corneal conditions.
Typical segments
- Manual keratometers
- Automated keratometers
- Autorefractor keratometers
- Corneal topographers
- Handheld devices
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 24% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €390.1 million of products under CN code 90185010 (Ophthalmic instruments and appliances, non-optical, n.e.s.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 390.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90185010 were up 24% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€314.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +24 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90185010 to countries outside the EU were worth €430.4 million in 2025. | 430.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90185010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €667.8 million in 2025. | 667.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90185010 to the EU in 2025, with €212.2 million, or 54% of extra-EU imports. | 212.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90185010 to the United States were €47.9 million in 2025. | 47.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90185010 was €95.26 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 95.26 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Belgium was the largest EU exporter of CN 90185010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €145.5 million. | 145.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 63,227 enterprises in NACE class C3250 (Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies) in 2023. | 63,227 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3250 had net turnover of €105.31 billion in 2021. | 105.31 EUR billion | 2021 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3250 employed 600,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 600,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 654 private establishments in NAICS 339115 (Ophthalmic goods manufacturing) in 2025. | 654 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 339115 employed an average of 23,378 people in US private industry in 2025. | 23,378 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 339115 changed by +2% between 2020 (22,984 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +2 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 339115 was $84,425 in 2025. | 84,425 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| The FDA has recorded 20 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 20 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Canon Usa, Inc. holds 4 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 4 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Nidek, Inc. holds 3 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 3 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Orbtek, Inc. holds 2 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 2 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| R.H. Burton Co. holds 2 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 2 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Technitex, Inc. holds 2 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 2 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| Acufex Microsurgical, Inc. holds 1 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer". | 1 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
| PubMed indexed 360 papers mentioning "keratometry" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 360 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 390146782
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 314749633; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 390146782
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 430377837
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 667779913
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 212174699
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 47861039
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90185010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 390146782, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 40954
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter BE, product 90185010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 145495452
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 63227
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2021, 105308
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 600000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 339115, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339115, annual_avg_estabs 654
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339115, annual_avg_emplvl 23378
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 22984; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 23378
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339115, avg_annual_pay 84425
- Figure 12
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: openFDA 510(k) clearances, device_name "keratometer" (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
openFDA device/510k device_name:"keratometer", sum of counts by decision_date = 20
- Figure 16
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: openFDA 510(k) clearances by applicant, device_name "keratometer" (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 17
applicant.exact "Canon USA, Inc." count 4
- Figure 18
applicant.exact "Nidek, Inc." count 3
- Figure 19
applicant.exact "Orbtek, Inc." count 2
- Figure 20
applicant.exact "R.H. Burton Co." count 2
- Figure 21
applicant.exact "Technitex, Inc." count 2
- Figure 22
applicant.exact "Acufex Microsurgical, Inc." count 1
- Figure 17
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "keratometry"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 23
esearch count 360
- Figure 23
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Eye clinics
- Optical retailers
- Hospitals
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
Companies to watch
Canon Usa, Inc.
4 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer".
Nidek, Inc.
3 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer".
Orbtek, Inc.
2 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer".
R.H. Burton Co.
2 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer".
Technitex, Inc.
2 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer".
Acufex Microsurgical, Inc.
1 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "keratometer".
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU keratometer market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €390.1 million of goods under CN 90185010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €430.4 million.
Where does the EU import keratometer from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, United Kingdom, Indonesia.
What is the average import price of keratometer in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €95.26 per kilogram for CN 90185010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most keratometer?
Belgium led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Germany.
How many keratometer devices are cleared by the FDA?
openFDA lists 20 510(k) clearances for devices named keratometer.
Which companies hold the most FDA clearances for keratometer?
By 510(k) count: Canon Usa, Inc., Nidek, Inc., Orbtek, Inc., R.H. Burton Co..
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