The segment of ophthalmic products used to relieve symptoms and treat dry eye syndrome has shown steady growth for the third consecutive year. In Q1 2026, retail sales of drugs and medical devices in this group reached RUB 3.9 billion (at retail prices, including VAT), corresponding to 6.3 million packages. According to data from the "Retail Audit of Drug Sales in Russia (total sell out)" and the "Retail Audit of Medical Device Sales in Russia (total sell out)" from the analytical company RNC Pharma, the category grew by 18.1% in monetary terms and 11.3% in physical units compared to the same period in 2025. Despite the positive dynamics, growth rates in the first quarter of this year slowed somewhat compared to the results of 2025, when growth was +26.9% in value and +14.5% in physical terms.

The Russian retail market for moisturizing ophthalmic solutions maintained a specific structure in Q1 2026: nearly 80% of all packages sold are medical devices, while the share of drugs and cosmetic products remains secondary. A key trend is the transformation of distribution — although pharmacies retain their status as the main channel (93% in rubles), online sales are showing rapid growth. Over the past four years, the share of e-commerce in the group has increased fourfold — from a symbolic 2% in 2022 to 5.8% in early 2026.

The category is characterized by pronounced geographical consumption patterns. In Q1 2026, just 10 Russian regions accounted for the majority of demand for ophthalmic moisturizing solutions (over half of revenue). The undisputed leader remains Moscow, which accounts for more than 15% of national sales. The top three largest markets also include Moscow Oblast (8.2%) and Saint Petersburg (7.1%). All three leaders show confident growth, but the highest dynamics were recorded in Moscow Oblast, where spending on these products increased by 15.6% compared to Q1 2025.

The national average per capita consumption of such products in January–March 2026 was 42 packages per 1,000 people. For the entire past year, this figure reached 158.3 packages per 1,000 people. Saint Petersburg has held first place in per capita consumption for several years, with an average of 68.9 packages sold per 1,000 people in the first three months of this year. Moscow ranks second (60 packages per 1,000 people). The high demand for this group of products in megacities is explained by the digitalization of workplaces and environmental factors. Interestingly, in early 2026, Novosibirsk and Sverdlovsk Oblasts also entered the top four, surpassing Moscow Oblast in this indicator. Last year, Moscow Oblast ranked third in this indicator, with 200.8 packages sold per 1,000 people, while in Moscow the figure did not exceed 227 packages per 1,000 people. The lowest per capita consumption volumes of products for treating dry eye syndrome this year were seen in the regions of the North Caucasus, with the Chechen Republic showing the absolute minimum — per capita consumption in Q1 2026 was less than 2 packages per person.

Leadership in the group is retained by the Optinol product line from the Croatian company Jadran. This product accounts for 19.6% of the market, showing growth of 34.2% in rubles. Second place is held by Systane from Alcon, with a 12.6% market share — sales of the brand increased by 18.6% over the year. In third place rose the domestic product Stillavit from Oftalm-Renaissance, with a 10.6% ruble share and growth of +24.1%. Meanwhile, the brand Gilan from the Russian company Grotex fell to fourth place — total Russian spending on this brand decreased by 15.9% in rubles over the year. However, this brand leads in the monetary volume of online orders (14.8% in rubles). Moreover, physical demand for it in the e-commerce segment nearly doubled, while spending on this trademark increased by 26.6%. The record holder for growth rate in the top ten was the drug Vizomitin from the domestic company Mitotech (+74.1%).