Aier Eye Hospital Group

What Aier Eye Hospital Group does

Aier Eye Hospital Group is the world's largest dedicated ophthalmic medical chain, operating over 1,000 brand hospitals, eye centers, and clinics across mainland China (807), Hong Kong (9), Southeast Asia (18), Europe (151 via Clínica Baviera), the United States (1), and Brazil (81 via OPTY, acquired June 2026). Founded in 2003 in Changsha, Hunan Province, and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE: 300015) since 2009, the group delivers a full lifecycle of eye care services across 14 subspecialties — refractive surgery, optometry/myopia control, cataract, fundus disease, cornea/ocular surface, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, oculoplastics, and others — using a tiered '1+8+N' flagship-to-county network model. In 2025 it recorded 1,889.17 million outpatient visits and over 1.68 million surgeries, supported by 7,500+ ophthalmologists and 50,000+ total employees globally.

Revenue is generated primarily through pay-as-you-go fees for outpatient consultations, diagnostic examinations, and surgical procedures, with pricing varying by hospital tier, sub-specialty, and geography. The business mix is anchored in high-volume consumer services (refractive surgery, cataract, myopia control) and increasingly augmented by premium procedures such as SMILE Pro with ZEISS VISUMAX 800 platforms, EVO ICL, iStent inject W glaucoma micro-stent surgery, robotic-assisted retinal surgery, and biologic therapy for thyroid eye disease. Secondary revenue derives from procurement and deployment of advanced ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment across the network.

The technology stack combines clinical infrastructure with a proprietary digital health layer: AierGPT and the Aier Digital Person (developed with the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Computing Technology), fundus AI screening, AI eyelid tumor screening, GLIM-Net glaucoma prediction, an autonomous AI Dry Eye Doctor, the Cloud Clamp wearable myopia device, and an Intelligent Smart Hospital platform integrating telemedicine, AI triage, and remote consultation. Distribution is primarily direct via the owned hospital network, supplemented by a 2025 strategic partnership with Meituan Medical Health to integrate Aier's services into China's largest consumer healthcare platform, and by international academic conferences and clinical training programs that drive global patient referrals and brand authority.

Name

Aier Eye Hospital Group

Legal name

爱尔眼科医院集团股份有限公司

Website

https://aierchina.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Aier Eye Hospital Group is the world's largest dedicated ophthalmic medical chain, operating over 1,000 eye hospitals and clinics across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Brazil, serving nearly 1.9 billion annual patient visits across 14 sub-specialties including refractive surgery, cataract, glaucoma, and myopia control.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Healthcare Services

NAICS

Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (62231), Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (622310), Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care) (HLAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ophthalmic Specialty Hospitals (HLAFAHAJ), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN), Ophthalmology & Vision Telemedicine Platforms (HLALAGAL)

Keywords

• Ophthalmic medical services
• Refractive surgery services
• Cataract treatment services
• Myopia control services
• Eye hospital network

Headquarters

HQ city

Changsha

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ophthalmic Medical Services Revenue: Aier Eye Hospital Group generates the majority of its revenue from a comprehensive range of ophthalmic medical services delivered through its network of hospitals and clinics across China and internationally. Services span refractive surgery, cataract, myopia control, retina, cornea, glaucoma, and other ophthalmic sub-specialties. The company is publicly listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SHE: 300015).
2. Diagnostic Equipment and Consumables: Revenue from procurement and deployment of advanced ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment (e.g., ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond lasers) and associated consumables across the hospital network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aier Eye Hospital Group operates the largest ophthalmic medical chain in China, delivering comprehensive eye-care services through 1,000+ hospitals and clinics across 14 sub-specialties including refractive surgery, cataract, myopia control, fundus disease, cornea/ocular surface, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, and oculoplastics. The group also develops proprietary AI-enabled digital health products (AierGPT, AI Digital Person, Fundus AI screening) for patient consultation, diagnosis, and follow-up, and complements clinical services with advanced surgical equipment such as ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond lasers and iStent inject W micro-stents.

Product overview

Aier Eye Hospital Group operates as a comprehensive ophthalmic healthcare platform with 14 clinical subspecialties and 7 specialized outpatient services. The core medical services include refractive surgery, optometry/myopia control, cataract, fundus disease, cornea/ocular surface, pediatric ophthalmology, glaucoma, and oculoplastics. The group offers specialized services through dedicated specialty clinics including thyroid eye disease (33 clinics in 22 cities), presbyopia correction MDT (37 clinics), dry eye treatment, and myopia prevention/control. In addition to clinical services, Aier has developed a digital ecosystem including AierGPT/AI Digital Person for patient interaction, Fundus AI Screening System, and Intelligent Smart Hospital platform. The group has expanded internationally through acquisitions including OPTY in South America, and maintains partnerships with global technology providers like ZEISS for advanced surgical equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Refractive Surgery Services (屈光手术专科) Comprehensive refractive surgery services led by nationally recognized experts, providing SMILE, SMILE Pro, LASIK, all-laser LASIK, ICL implantation, EVO ICL V5, and other advanced vision-correction procedures supported by the proprietary 'Six Safety Systems' framework. Target patients are young and middle-aged adults seeking spectacle-free correction of myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia.
• Optometry & Myopia Control Services (视光专科) Vision examination and myopia prevention/control services including orthokeratology lens fitting, defocus lens glasses, low-concentration atropine treatment, and pediatric eye health management under the proprietary 5P myopia management model. Led by 5,000+ optometrists and serves millions of children and adolescents annually.
• Cataract Services (白内障专科) Cataract surgery using femtosecond laser technology and premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) for personalized surgical planning. The cataract subspecialty team includes 30+ national experts and serves elderly patients with cataract, presbyopia, and age-related vision decline.
• Fundus Disease Services (眼底病专科) Diagnosis and treatment of retinal and fundus diseases including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment. Supported by 60+ fundus disease specialists and 800+ fundus doctors, with anti-VEGF injections and vitreoretinal surgery capabilities.
• Cornea and Ocular Surface Services (角膜及眼表专科) Corneal and ocular surface disease treatment including corneal transplantation, dry eye management, and ocular surface reconstruction. Team of 30+ specialists leading 600+ cornea doctors, supported by the Aier Eye Bank.
• Pediatric Ophthalmology Services (斜视与小儿眼科) Strabismus surgery, pediatric eye disease treatment, amblyopia training, and visual function rehabilitation for children, staffed by 1,000+ pediatric ophthalmologists. Also covers posterior scleral reinforcement, nystagmus surgery, and visual cognition training.
• Glaucoma Services (青光眼专科) Glaucoma diagnosis and treatment using advanced technologies including UCP, Itrack micro-catheter, micro-pulse systems, and iStent inject W micro-stent for minimally invasive treatment, supported by 100+ glaucoma specialists.
• Oculoplastics Services (眼睑病与眼整形专科) Eyelid disease treatment and oculoplastic surgery for functional and cosmetic restoration of the periocular area, led by 100+ specialists.
• Thyroid Eye Disease Specialty Clinics (甲状腺相关眼病专科门诊) Specialized clinics for thyroid eye disease (TED) diagnosis and treatment, offering orbital decompression surgery, MDT management (endocrinology + ophthalmology), and biologic therapy (TEPEZZA-equivalent / 替妥尤单抗). Targets the estimated 3 million TED patients in China.
• Presbyopia Correction MDT Clinics (老视矫正MDT门诊) Multi-disciplinary specialty clinics providing presbyopia correction through comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment including refractive lens exchange, premium IOL implantation, and laser corneal procedures, with 37 clinics nationwide.
• AierGPT and AI Digital Person (爱尔数字人 / Eyecho) Large language model and AI digital avatar for eye health consultation, preoperative education, doctor-patient communication, and post-operative rehabilitation. Provides 24/7 online AI consultation, triage guidance, and personalized health education across the Aier patient journey.
• Fundus AI Screening System (眼底AI筛查系统) AI-powered automated analysis system for retinal images to detect diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and other fundus conditions, enabling early screening and large-scale diagnostic support across Aier's network.
• Intelligent Smart Hospital (智慧医院) Platform Digital hospital platform integrating AI-assisted diagnosis, telemedicine, remote consultation, AI-powered appointment booking, examination data synchronization, and intelligent patient follow-up management to enhance healthcare delivery across Aier's hospital network.
• OPTY Eye Hospital Chain (South America) South America's largest ophthalmic hospital chain with 81 eye centers, 72 operating rooms, and 500+ consultation rooms across 8 Brazilian states, providing comprehensive ophthalmic services including cataract, retina, glaucoma, refractive, and corneal treatments. Operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary post-acquisition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.889 billion patient visits and 1.68 million surgeries in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• ZEISS Medical Technology (蔡司医疗)coreTechnology or Integration · 12 June 2026Strategic agreement for purchase and installation of 25 ZEISS VISUMAX 800 femtosecond laser systems across Aier's hospital network. Positions Aier as the global leader in VISUMAX 800 installations and SMILE Pro-certified surgeons. Beyond equipment procurement, the partnership includes collaboration on international expansion, digital workflows, and AI-assisted diagnosis. Systems to be progressively deployed starting later in 2026.
• OPTY Group (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Aier Eye completed acquisition of OPTY Group, South America's largest eye hospital chain with 81 eye centers across 8 Brazilian states and federal district. OPTY operates 72 operating rooms and over 500 consultation rooms with nearly 1,000 ophthalmologists and 3,000 employees. This marks Aier's first entry into the South American market, extending global footprint from Asia/Europe/North America to all four major continents. The acquisition follows years of relationship building since 2017 when OPTY's director first visited Aier headquarters in Changsha.
• Meituan Medical Health (美团医药健康)strategicGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 January 2025Strategic partnership signed January 2025 to jointly launch China's 'Premium Vision Plan' (优视力计划). Integrates Aier's ophthalmology services with Meituan's healthcare platform for broader consumer reach. Covers online appointment booking, service promotion, and digital health management integration.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Computing Technology (中科院计算技术研究所)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research partnership developing AI-powered ophthalmic healthcare solutions including AierGPT large language model for ophthalmic knowledge Q&A and triage, and the Aier Digital Person (爱尔数字人) avatar for patient interaction. The partnership leverages Aier's 32 million+ clinical case records and CAS-ICT's expertise in large language models, computer vision, and digital human technology. Won ICCSE & ICAA 2025 Best Demo Award.
• China Internet Network Information Center / Central Cyberspace AdministrationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAier's charity video 'Seeing the Undamaged Land — Anti-War Veterans Series' was selected to the national 'Digital Love Without Borders' digital charity story collection by the Cyberspace Administration of China and Central Civilization Office, demonstrating government recognition of Aier's public welfare communications.
• Saúde Latam (Brazil)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian healthcare investment institution that served as counterparty in Aier's acquisition of OPTY Group. Saúde Latam facilitated the transaction representing OPTY's existing investors and management team.
• 中南大学爱尔眼科学院 (CSU-Aier Eye Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint academy with Central South University for ophthalmology talent cultivation, combining clinical training with academic degree programs from undergraduate to doctoral level. Part of Aier's '医教研一体化' integrated academic-medical-research ecosystem.
• International Ophthalmology Alliance (IAOI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAier Eye Research Institute participated in the 2026 Eyennovation International Summit organized by the International Academy of Ophthalmology Innovation (IAOI) in Suzhou, presenting research on complement pathway intervention for retinal degenerative diseases and ocular organoid chip technology.
• 暨南大学爱尔眼科研究院 (JNU-Aier Eye Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research institute with Jinan University for ophthalmology research, clinical trials, and talent development. Part of Aier's network of 17 research institutes across its hospital system.
• Clínica Baviera (Spain)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAier's European flagship platform, acquired in prior years. Clínica Baviera operates 151 eye hospitals across Spain, Germany, and Italy with Prof. Fernando Llovet as co-founder and CMO. Enables Aier's European expansion and international patient flows.
• ISEC (Malaysia)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerAier's Southeast Asian platform. ISEC (International Specialist Eye Centre) operates 18 eye hospitals and clinics in Malaysia with Dr. Hung Ming Lee and Dr. Jun Shyan Wong as co-founders. Forms the core of Aier's Southeast Asia network.
• 湖南省眼健康产业创新联合体 (Hunan Eye Health Industry Innovation Consortium)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed by Aier Eye as the initiating enterprise, this provincial-level innovation consortium was approved by Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department in 2024. Aims to integrate the eye health industry chain through joint research, talent development, and industry-university-research collaboration across 17 research institutes and 12 GCP clinical trial bases.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Alcon: Global #1 ophthalmic medical device and consumer eyecare company covering cataract IOLs, refractive surgery, and contact lens care. Comparable in ophthalmic care delivery economics across global markets.
• CooperCompanies: Global contact lens and eye-care products company (CooperVision). Comparable in vision-care consumer economics and adjacent to Aier's optometry/myopia control service lines.
• Bausch + Lomb: Global eye-health company covering pharmaceuticals, surgical devices, contact lenses, and consumer eyewear. Comparable in ophthalmic care value chain from consumables to surgical products.
• National Vision Holdings: Largest optical retailer in the United States operating America's Best, Eyeglass World, and Pearle Vision. Comparable consumer-facing eye-care distribution and retail-eyewear model.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec: Global leader in ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment (VISUMAX, IOLs, OCT) and Aier's largest technology partner. Comparable in ophthalmic care delivery economics via equipment placements globally.

Emerging players

• Warby Parker: US direct-to-consumer eyewear and eye exam company with growing brick-and-mortar and digital channel presence. Comparable as digitally-led, vertically integrated vision-care consumer brand.
• STAAR Surgical: Specialty ophthalmic device maker of EVO ICL lenses — Aier is a major ICL implant customer. Direct technology linkage through implantable collamer lens refractive procedures.

Direct peers

• Huaxia Eye Hospital Group: One of the largest private ophthalmic hospital chains in China directly competing with Aier across cataract, refractive, and myopia services. Closest competitor by business model and patient segment.
• He Eye Hospital: Shenyang-based private ophthalmic hospital chain in mainland China offering comparable refractive, cataract, and pediatric eye services. Direct competitor in northern China markets.
• C-Mer Eye Care Holdings: Hong Kong-listed ophthalmic chain operating in Hong Kong and mainland China with comparable subspecialty coverage. Directly comparable specialty-hospital chain model with public-market disclosures.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aiereyehospital
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aier-eye-hospital-group-co-ltd-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments10 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aier Eye Hospital Group