Industry Collaborative highlights ‘staggering increase’ in demand for eye care
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The New England College of Optometry recently hosted its third annual Industry Collaborative, welcoming more than 120 guests from the eye care industry, health care, academia and media to discuss supply and demand in optometry.
According to a NECO press release, demand for optometrists is projected to increase 8% to 10% from 2021 to 2031. “This is a staggering increase in demand for medical eye care,” Gary Chu, OD, MPH, NECO vice president for professional affairs, said in the release. He noted that the number of colleges of optometry currently exceeds the applicant pool of prospective students, which has remained nearly flat.
Other topics of interest at the event included the Supreme Court’s overturning of affirmative action. “While NECO will absolutely adhere to the law, we also remain committed to continue to close the gaps for optometrists of Black, Latino, Indigenous and other underrepresented people in optometry, so we can best meet the needs of patients,” Howard Purcell, OD, NECO president and CEO, said in the release.
Two student panels also were featured at the event, which included discussions for students beginning their academic journey as well as for those in residency and early practice. A third panel highlighted admissions, applicant pool expansion, board exams and diversity of students applying to optometry schools.
The final panel discussion tackled the role of telehealth in optometry, a topic that sparked tension at last year’s collaborative.
“This year, the discussion centered around imaging vs. dilation in telehealth and the responsibility in leveraging technology to deliver care that is appropriate to meet the demands while ensuring accessibility,” Chu said in the release.
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