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Click here to download a PDF of The Future of Optometry.
We live and practice in a dynamic environment, ever changing, ever challenging.

Among the changes we see, the patients whom we serve are increasingly informed and empowered through technology. The doctor-patient relationship is forever changed as a result of that.

Among the challenges we face are the imperatives of health care reform, namely to provide wider access to better care—and to do so efficiently and economically. While this is a daunting task, technology is on our side. Technology empowers us to be better clinicians and more adept practice managers. We are empowered to utilize the higher level of data we now gather to be the full-scope clinicians we are trained to be.

Further, we are challenged to compete. As independent optometrists, we compete with powerful market forces and far larger organizations with vast resources. Here again, technology is on our side, allowing us to gather data on patient needs and preferences and to offer personalized solutions that improve the lives of our patients.

Applying data to provide such personalized solutions has long been the hallmark of independent optometry. In order to put the power of data in your hands, we have conducted a comprehensive review of all available metrics on optometric practice performance. We launched an OD survey to specifically assess OD concerns and perceptions of future challenges. And we have begun a series of presentations to the optometric community to share and group-think strategies to ensure a bright future for independent optometry. We share some of these resources with you here in this special VM section.

We firmly believe that with knowledge, vision and determination, the practice of optometry will continue to thrive!