Report

DelveInsight's 'Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)-Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast-2032' report delivers an in-depth understanding of the EKC, historical and forecasted epidemiology as well as the EKC market trends in the United States, EU-5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Japan.
The EKC market report provides current treatment practices, emerging drugs, and market share of the individual therapies, current and forecasted 7MM EKC market size from 2019 to 2032. The Report also covers current EKC treatment practice, SWOT analysis, reimbursement, and market access, and unmet medical needs to curate the best of the opportunities and assesses the underlying potential of the market.
Geography Covered
- The United States
- EU-5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom)
- Japan

Study Period: 2019-2032
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) Disease Understanding and Treatment Algorithm
EKC Overview
Keratoconjunctivitis is when the patient has both keratitis and conjunctivitis simultaneously. Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea, the clear dome covering the iris and the pupil. Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a highly contagious viral conjunctivitis. It is caused by a group of viruses known as adenoviruses that, in addition to ocular surface infections, are responsible for causing infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system illnesses such as the common cold virus (Couser & Kolluru, n.d.). EKC has a long incubation period and is highly contagious, leading to large outbreaks worldwide. It easily spreads where people are in close quarters, like schools, hospitals, and even doctors' offices.
The disease pathology includes the inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) and the cornea (keratitis). Two dilemmas are associated with this disease, first is that the virus in the early stage of incubation is asymptomatic, which leads to easy direct spread to other humans in contact; second, to date, no treatment exists with approved effect against EKC.
The adenovirus pathogen causes EKC. Adenoviral conjunctivitis is the most common cause of red-eye in the world. A study at the Wills Eye Hospital emergency room found a 62% prevalence of adenoviral conjunctivitis amongst all patients presenting with a clinical diagnosis of infectious conjunctivitis, while various other studies have demonstrated a prevalence of between 15% and 70% of all conjunctivitis worldwide.
More than 50 different adenovirus serotypes have been identified and divided into distinct subgroups. Specific adenovirus serotypes are associated with various types of ocular infection. The most common adenoviral conjunctivitis include EKC, pharyngoconjunctival fever, and nonspecific follicular conjunctivitis (simple adenoviral conjunctivitis). EKC is commonly associated with adenovirus serotypes 8, 19, and 37 and is considered a more critical form of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis because of the adverse consequences it may have on visual acuity.
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EKC Diagnosis
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) can usually be diagnosed with a simple eye exam. A lighted magnifying glass, called a slip lamp, can check for characteristic signs of EKC, such as corneal opacity and subepithelial infiltrates. The practitioner may also check for swollen lymph nodes in the neck. A slit lamp in conjunction with magnifying lenses or an ophthalmoscope may be used to check the back of the eye if the symptoms are severe or persistent. In most cases, treatment would begin if the symptoms are uncomplicated. If the diagnosis is uncertain or the presentation of symptoms is unusual, the healthcare provider can use a simple, in-office test to detect the presence of adenovirus in the eye.
The diagnosis of EKC is based mainly on history and clinical picture, but cell culture in combination with immunofluorescence staining (CC-IFA) is a good tool for diagnosis. As well as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is very specific in the detection of adenovirus antigen. These methods are the most accurate way to confirm the diagnosis; however, many physicians lack diagnostic lab orders due to the cost and time delay. Rapid diagnosis of EKC has evolved with Rapid Pathogen Screening (RPS) Adeno Detector with instant results, and it is useful in the exact diagnosis of EKC patients in the office. EKC is a self-limiting disease that spontaneously resolves within 1-3 weeks without significant complications, but in 20-50% of cases, corneal infiltrates can persist for some weeks or even months and sometimes up to 2 years, which leads to a drop in visual acuity and significant glare as well as conjunctival scarring and symblepharon may happen in case of membranous conjunctivitis a vascular or visceral cause are often found writhing in pain, unable to find a comfortable position.
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EKC Treatment
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is usually a self-limiting disease, and it tends to resolve spontaneously within 1-3 weeks without leaving any significant complications. There is no effective treatment for EKC. Depending upon the severity of signs and symptoms, patients are followed up for several days to weeks. The goals of pharmacotherapy (treatment with medicines) are to reduce morbidity and prevent any complications.
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EKC Epidemiology
The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiology segmented by Total Incident Cases of Viral conjunctivitis, Total Adenovirus D-specific Incident Cases, Total Incident Cases of Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), and Total Diagnosed Incident Cases of Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) scenario in the 7MM covering the United States, EU-5 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) and Japan from 2019 to 2032.
Key Findings
- In 2021, the total incident cases of EKC in the 7MM were found to be 1,820,868. These cases are expected to go down during the study period 2019-2032.
- The highest number of cases for EKC was recorded in Japan in 2021 with a total count of 999,087 cases.
- There were 7,339,945 cases of viral conjunctivitis in the 7MM in 2021. This number of viral conjunctivitis cases is anticipated to increase during the study period.
- There were a total of 597,035 diagnosed cases of EKC in the 7MM in 2021. This total number of diagnosed cases of EKC in the 7MM is anticipated to increase during the study period.
- Japan had the highest number of diagnosed EKC cases (501,522 cases) whereas there were 58,033 diagnosed cases of EKC in the United States in 2021.
EKC Epidemiology
The epidemiology segment also provides the EKC epidemiology data and findings across the United States, EU-5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and Japan.
EKC Market Outlook
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a self-limiting, infectious, viral, and highly contagious ocular condition that starts unilaterally and later develops into a bilateral condition. Adenovirus is the causative agent for this infection. During EKC infection, a patient has symptoms of both keratitis and conjunctivitis simultaneously. Some typical signs of EKC include conjunctival hyperemia/erythema (redness) of bulbar conjunctiva and/or palpebral conjunctiva; epithelial keratitis; chemosis (conjunctival edema); photophobia; foreign body sensation, etc. Other than these ocular symptoms, some of the systemic symptoms associated with EKC are lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes, specifically the preauricular lymph nodes); fever; headache; and fatigue.
Currently, there is no approved therapy for the treatment of EKC patients. Treatment strategies focus on providing symptomatic relief to the patients. Along with providing symptomatic treatment, the focus is also put on preventing disease transmission. Anti-inflammatory and antiviral drugs in the form of eye drops or ocular gels are prominently used for the treatment of EKC patients. At times, more specifically in the case of younger patients, antibacterial eye drops are also recommended to prevent chances of mixed infection with bacterial agents.
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Key Findings
- The market size of EKC in the 7MM is expected to reach USD 17.51 million by 2032.
- Japan accounted for the highest market size of EKC, in comparison to the other major markets in 2021.
- Among the EU-5 countries, Germany had the highest market size with USD 0.21 million in 2021.
- The US market size of EKC was estimated to be of USD 3.03 million in 2021.
The United States Market Outlook
This section provides the total EKC market size in the United States.
EU-5 Market Outlook
The total EKC market size in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are provided in this section.
Japan Market Outlook
The total EKC market size in Japan are provided.
Competitive Intelligence Analysis
We perform competitive and market Intelligence analysis of the EKC market by using various competitive intelligence tools that include-SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces, BCG Matrix, Market entry strategies, etc. The inclusion of the analysis entirely depends upon the data availability.
Scope of the Report
- The report covers the descriptive overview of EKC, explaining its causes, symptoms, pathophysiology, genetic basis, and currently available therapies.
- Comprehensive insight has been provided into the EKC epidemiology and treatment.
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- A detailed review of the EKC market; historical and forecasted is included in the report, covering the 7MM drug outreach.
- The report provides an edge while developing business strategies, by understanding trends shaping and driving the 7MM EKC market.
Report Highlights
- Increasing diagnosed incidence will positively drive the EKC market.
- The companies and academics are working to assess challenges and seek opportunities that could influence Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis R&D. The therapies under development are focused on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition.
EKC Report Insights
- Patient Population
- Therapeutic Approaches
- EKC Market Size and Trends
- Market Opportunities
EKC Report Key Strengths
- 11 Years Forecast
- 7MM Coverage
- EKC Epidemiology Segmentation
- Highly Analyzed Market
EKC Report Assessment
- Current Treatment Practices
- Unmet Needs
- Market Attractiveness
- SWOT analysis
Key Questions
Market Insights:
- What was the EKC market share (%) distribution in 2019 and how it would look like in 2032?
- What would be the EKC total market size across the 7MM during the forecast period (2022-2032)?
- What are the key findings pertaining to the market across the 7MM and which country will have the largest EKC market size during the forecast period (2022-2032)?
- At what CAGR, the EKC market is expected to grow at the 7MM level during the forecast period (2022-2032)?
- What would be the EKC market outlook across the 7MM during the forecast period (2022-2032)?
- What would be the EKC market growth till 2032 and what will be the resultant market size in the year 2032?
Epidemiology Insights:
- What are the disease risk, burdens, and unmet needs of EKC?
- What is the historical EKC patient pool in the United States, EU-5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the UK), and Japan?
- What would be the forecasted patient pool of EKC at the 7MM level?
- What will be the growth opportunities across the 7MM with respect to the patient population pertaining to EKC?
- Out of the above-mentioned countries, which country would have the highest incident population of EKC during the forecast period (2022-2032)?
- At what CAGR the population is expected to grow across the 7MM during the forecast period (2022-2032)?
Current Treatment Scenario, Marketed Drugs, and Emerging Therapies:
- What are the current options for the treatment of EKC along with the approved therapy?
- What are the current treatment guidelines for the treatment of EKC in the US and Europe?
- What are the EKC marketed drugs and their MOA, regulatory milestones, product development activities, advantages, disadvantages, safety, and efficacy, etc.?
- How many companies are developing therapies for the treatment of EKC?
- How many emerging therapies are in the mid-stage and late stages of development for the treatment of EKC?
- What are the key collaborations (Industry-Industry, Industry-Academia), Mergers and acquisitions, licensing activities related to the EKC therapies?
- What are the recent novel therapies, targets, mechanisms of action, and technologies developed to overcome the limitation of existing therapies?
- What are the clinical studies going on for EKC and their status?
- What are the key designations that have been granted for the emerging therapies for EKC?
- What are the 7MM historical and forecasted market of EKC?
Reasons to buy
- The report will help in developing business strategies by understanding trends shaping and driving EKC.
- To understand the future market competition in the EKC market.
- Organize sales and marketing efforts by identifying the best opportunities for EKC in the US, Europe (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom), and Japan.
- Identification of strong upcoming players in the market will help in devising strategies that will help in getting ahead of competitors.
- Organize sales and marketing efforts by identifying the best opportunities for the EKC market.
- To understand the future market competition in the EKC market.