| dc.description.abstract | Contact lenses serve as both vision correction tools and cosmetic products, with market demand driven by the increasing prevalence of myopia and the popularity of colored contact lenses. Technological advancements and the widespread use of digital devices are also significant factors influencing the contact lens industry.
The contact lens industry is a global market dominated by major international brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Alcon, CooperVision, and Bausch & Lomb, which together hold over 90% of the global market share. These brands not only offer a variety of types and functions of contact lenses but also develop products that cater to the ocular characteristics and preferences of different regional populations, meeting the diverse needs of consumers worldwide.
Taiwan is one of the major manufacturing bases for contact lenses globally, recognized for its product quality, technology, innovation, and service. Taiwan′s contact lens exports are primarily concentrated in Asia, with Japan and China being the largest markets. Taiwanese manufacturers offer various types and functions of contact lenses, including colored lenses designed for the Asian eye characteristics and preferences. In 2021, Taiwan′s contact lens exports reached $530 million USD.
This thesis employs the ＂Structure-Conduct-Performance (S-C-P)＂ framework of industrial economics to explore the fundamental conditions, government policies, market structure, firm behavior, and industry performance of the global contact lens industry, analyzing its development and future trends.
The research findings indicate that the contact lens industry, as part of the ophthalmic medical device sector, has a high barrier to entry. The global market is dominated by the four major international brands, presenting a highly oligopolistic scenario where large manufacturers reduce costs through mass production and use patents and technological barriers to prevent new entrants from gaining a market advantage. Taiwan′s global market share in the contact lens industry is less than 5%. Barriers to market entry include oligopoly, raw material supply, and complex product specifications, making it difficult to change in the short term. Nonetheless, due to the high customization and niche product demand, Taiwanese manufacturers still have profit margins in the market.
In terms of firm behavior, the bargaining power of manufacturers is affected by industry concentration and product substitutability. Taiwanese manufacturers can improve product quality and safety through market segmentation, new product development, niche products, and own-brand strategies. Competitive strategies include product price competition, brand building, customer service, and product advertising and marketing to increase market share.
From a performance perspective, international major manufacturers, being early in the market development, possess more product patents and production technology. Although Taiwanese contact lens manufacturers have excellent manufacturing capabilities and innovative products, they still struggle to compete with international giants. The operational data among manufacturers does not vary significantly, suggesting that the products, marketing strategies, customer bases, and operational strategies of the manufacturers are quite similar. To compete effectively and meet consumer demands, Taiwanese manufacturers must innovate and differentiate their products, continue to enhance R&D and brand marketing, and increase product value-added to seize a share of the global market. | en_US |