Pandemic effects spotlighted in report on latest optical industry trends
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A new report from Transitions Optical spotlighted five emerging trends in the optical industry, collected with input from a group of eye care professionals and opinion leaders.
The report identified several lingering effects of the pandemic, such as increased use of telemedicine and patients less frequently scheduling appointments.
Also since the pandemic, patients have become more concerned about their health, do more of their own research, and have come to appreciate and expect a more personalized level of care, according to the report.
Eye care professionals additionally noted that patients are growing increasingly worried about their economic future. Those concerns make it even more “critical” to explain the benefits of proper eye wear for “not only vision, but also overall health, wellness and productivity,” the report said.
Many eye care professionals said they are struggling to rebuild their pre-pandemic staffing, and many also cited poor work-life balance and high stress levels. The report advised managers to offer programs addressing burnout, recognize valuable team members, lead by example when it comes to work-life balance and make sure employees know what resources are available to them.
Citing an increase in overall generosity since the pandemic, the report recognized eye care professionals who are giving back and promoting their practices by partnering with community organizations, charities and food drives.
In all, the five trends identified are:
Do more with every patient: Understanding the impacts of the pandemic.
Keep employees engaged: Addressing needs with a people-first approach.
Focus on community: Making a difference hyper-locally.
Keep an eye on a sustainable future: Offering products to meet demands hyper-locally.
Embrace a hybrid approach: Connecting with patients online and off.
The report was “created to shed light on the changes eye care professionals can embrace to help gain a competitive advantage in the future,” Rose Harris, Transitions’ senior director of marketing in North America, said in a press release.
Transitions Optical drew the trends from conversations with U.S.- and Canada-based members of Transitions Pro Forum, a group of selected eye care professionals, educators, opinion leaders and others.
Reference:
- Five trends for the optical industry in 2023. https://trade.transitions.com/resources/public/10768/Transitions2023TrendsReport.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2023.
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