A market report suggests Russia could experience a shortage of contact lenses as industry participants discuss supply disruptions. Citing sources from market participants, Kommersant FM notes that U.S. pharmaceutical and consumer goods giants, including Johnson & Johnson, which markets Acuvue Oasys and Acuvue True Eyes, have started notifying Russian distributors of interruptions to imports. As a result, price levels for various brands of eyeglass lenses have risen sharply, with some categories seeing the cost of substitutes double in a short period.
Observers say the current moment, set against ongoing sanctions and broader geopolitical tensions, is prompting optic retailers to explore alternate suppliers. Anastasia Dyuzhenkova, who runs a boutique optical store under the Ochki name, commented that the sector is actively analyzing replacements and the potential for switching suppliers. She noted that while prices have increased across many import lines, the market still offers a range of substitution options. However, she also observed that the retail business of selling contact lenses has lost some of its former momentum, reflecting shifts in consumer buying patterns and inventory strategies.
In April of the previous year, reports highlighted a shortage of Acuvue contact lenses in the Russian retail space, affecting both online and brick-and-mortar sales. The scarcity was attributed to a combination of logistical bottlenecks and heightened demand for these products, mirroring broader supply chain challenges facing medical and hygiene goods during periods of market volatility.