Chief Medical Officer, MyEyeDr.
“The number of patients needing eye care will undoubtedly increase over the coming years due to both demographic and environmental conditions.”

What is important about year round access to vision care?

The ability to access an eye care professional at prescribed intervals can make the difference between addressing small or incremental vision or health problems versus large ocular health changes or permanent vision loss. Patients with certain ocular conditions and systemic diseases that affect the eyes may need to visit their doctors more often than once every year. 

How do you see access to vision care changing in the next five years?

The number of patients needing eye care will undoubtedly increase over the coming years due to both demographic and environmental conditions. Changes in available technology combined with the patients’ desire to be more involved in their eye care will likely drive new ways to access the eye care system as well as the demand for shareable and cooperative plans among healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines. 

What top two innovations in vision care and technology are you most excited about?

In the diagnostic space, the adoption of ocular coherence tomography to detect and monitor anterior and posterior ocular structures and disease prognoses. Additionally, continued innovation in spectacle lens technologies that deliver clear, crisp vision while protecting from damaging ultraviolet and blue light wavelengths are very exciting developments. 

How are organizations working to provide access to eye care for those in need?

Industry-wide, we have seen buy-give programs take off. At the local level, doctors and optical teams are heavily involved in school screenings, workplace clinics, and community and charitable events.