NEW YORK—With the year 2020 on the horizon, eyecare professionals are quickly approaching a period filled with new opportunities and challenges. An aging population, higher incidences of diseases that impact eye health and new areas of practice focus are some of the things that may herald an era of continued growth for the profession. Yet, at the same time, advances in telehealth, industry consolidation, the digital revolution and broad changes across retail in general are creating tough challenges for independent practitioners. The challenge of consolidation—involving both big corporate players and private equity-backed groups—is seen by some in the optical industry as the most pressing issue facing the independent optometrist in the current operating environment.

This year already has seen a fair amount of transaction activity in eyecare by private-equity backed firms seeking additional growth. Independent ODs, and even the group of recent graduates, are looking at a range of options as they make long-term career plans.

In its cover topic this month, Vision Monday looks at options the independent ODs are evaluating today, as well as the key players on the corporate and private equity sides of the business. 

Visit the story, "Seeking Solutions," here.

And stories on the featured companies at the following links:

Acuity Eyecare Group, EyeCare Partners, Keplr, MyEyeDr., Pearle Vision, Vision Source, and VSP Ventures.