Industry

Innovation, technology evolving in ophthalmology

Healio Optometry5d ago1 min read

MIAMI — Innovation and technology are evolving to meet the need of “an aging population that needs our care now more than ever,” according to Matt Jensen, MBA.“We just don’t have enough doctors to get to them,” he said during a presentation at Sunshine Eye & Retina. “We are facing a time when we need our optometrist friends in their craft to operate at the very tip-top of their training and licensure. We need ophthalmologists to operate at the very tip-top of their craft and licensure so we can get to the patients who need us most.”Current financial challenges in ophthalmology include

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AI Summary

Quick Take

At the Sunshine Eye & Retina meeting, Matt Jensen, MBA, highlighted a growing crisis where the aging population's demand for eye care is outstripping the available supply of doctors. To address this, he argues that both optometrists and ophthalmologists must practice at the absolute peak of their licensure and training to ensure patients receive necessary care.

Why It Matters

The eye care industry is hitting a critical bottleneck where traditional practice models may no longer be sustainable due to demographic shifts. This 'silver tsunami' requires a breakdown of professional silos, pushing for expanded optometric scope and higher surgical efficiency for ophthalmologists. Without leveraging new technology and maximizing the clinical output of every provider, the gap between patient needs and provider capacity will continue to widen, potentially compromising outcomes.

Key Details

The aging population is creating a demand for eye care that exceeds the current number of available practitioners.
Innovation and technology are identified as the primary tools for evolving practice models to meet this increased demand.
A strategic shift is required for optometrists to operate at the 'tip-top' of their training and licensure.
Ophthalmologists must focus their efforts on the highest level of their craft to optimize patient access.
The industry is currently facing significant financial challenges that complicate these delivery model shifts.

Practice Implications

Practice owners should assess their current workflows to ensure that optometrists are fully utilized for medical eye care, allowing ophthalmologists to focus on surgical volume. Clinicians should look toward adopting efficiency-boosting technologies that can help manage larger patient loads without sacrificing the quality of care.

Who's Affected

OptometristsOphthalmologistsPractice OwnersClinical Administrators

What's Next

As the provider shortage intensifies, expect a continued industry-wide push for legislative changes regarding scope of practice and an increased reliance on automated diagnostic technologies to streamline patient throughput.

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