Will Optometry be replaced with technology in 20 years?
It's not outside the realm of possibilities. I came across an article in either Optometry times or Primary Care Optometry News (one of the magazines in the 16-inch pile of magazines on my desk) a month ago that discussed the issue.
So we have Wavefront Refraction, SD-OCT, Optos, OCT, topographers, tomographers, OCT angiography, etc... I could go on all day about the new toys we have on the market. Some of these machines can do our jobs better and faster. Right now, we have 20 different machines doing 20 different things and some are integrated into the EMR programs and some are not. What's saving us from a robot takeover presently is that all these machines aren't integrated.
The companies who make these machines will eventually consume one another in corporate buyouts. It happened over a number of years with the contact lens companies. Once the patents are acquired, the individual machines can be integrated into just a few machines. This system plugs into an EMR. An engineer could even program an OCT to give the examiner a list of possible diagnoses, or if the machine is smart enough, THE diagnosis.
I envision a future where the optometrist examines 200 patients per day remotely. The data is all collected by a technician who is trained to operate the 3 integrated machines it will take to do your eye exam. Chair time with the tech will take 5 minutes. The patient may still be dilated, but that doesn't count as active chair time.
Remotely, the OD reviews the exam findings, photos, history, etc. The data might even be accessible in a 3-D virtual environment. From afar, the OD finalizes the Rx and any other treatments. He can interact with the patient via Skype.
Someone mentioned that the patients will never accept this, that they want human contact. Since when does the government care what YOU want? You will be forced to accept it.
The scary part of this scenario is the location of the doctor. He can be located in India, anywhere. Why pay someone 75 dollars per hour when you can outsource the job for a fraction of the cost? The equipment will be too expensive for a lone OD to buy and it will be owned by a corporation which will employ most everyone. Probably the government.
But say the AOA steps in and stops such outsourcing - in that event - we'd need mere fraction of the OD's we have now. Just do a little math. Your average OD now sees 15 to 20 patients per day, including follow-ups.
Technology isn't the only issue. Some jerks decided to offer "online eye exams" and they give you an Rx. The State of California, last I heard, is allowing it. They are taking advantage of the fact that the public is too lazy to go in for a real eye exam. The optimistic OD's say, "But we can educate the public," Yes, we can educate the public, etc ... but we've been educating these stupid Sheeple for decades and people STILL don't know the difference between saline and a disinfecting solution! For that manner, most of them don't know their right hand from their left, even adults!
The magazine article's solution for the techno-revolution that's sure to replace at least some of us is to expand optometry into primary care (so we can fill the gap in primary care by treating and managing systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol). Oh, goody!
The profession used to focus on refraction, vision therapy and non-medical treatments and they expanded into ophthalmology to "save the profession," and 25 years later, here we are again.
My answer is: Forget Optometry. Be very careful that any profession you choose isn't about to be consumed by the robotic revolution. What would be a viable alternative knowing this information? A robot can never take the place of a psychologist or many other professions. I can think of several off the top of my head. Best wishes.
FYI: I've been an OD for 20 years.
FAQs
The concept of optometrists and ophthalmologists replaced by robots is gaining popularity. Nowadays, eye care specialists often discuss the potential of AI training in human cognitive skills. It is no longer just about the ability of AI to detect Diabetic retinopathy or interpret OCT scans with greater accuracy.
Will optometrists be replaced by technology? ›
This gives rise to many myths and fears around the introduction of AI in clinical practice. More and more eye care professionals have faced the question: will artificial intelligence replace ophthalmologists and optometrists in the near future? ( The answer is "No" but let's explore it in detail).
How has technology changed optometry? ›
In addition to benefiting patients, technology is also making the optometrist's job easier and more efficient. Electronic health records (EHRs) have replaced paper records, reducing the risk of errors and enabling optometrists to access patient information quickly and easily.
Is optometry becoming obsolete? ›
The field of optometry is not only imminently necessary—it's expanding. Both optometry and ophthalmology are on the precipice of significant change, though. New AI technologies and the rapidly increasing number of online vision retailers are already turning the industry on its head.
What is the latest technology in optometry? ›
Advances in new technology in optometry, such as AI (artificial intelligence), machine learning, and virtual and augmented reality, are expected to revolutionize the way optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat eye-related problems.
Will AI replace optometrist? ›
In contemplating whether AI will replace optometry jobs, the answer is resounding no. While AI can enhance capabilities in the field of optometry, it is unlikely to completely replace optometrist.
What is the future of optometry? ›
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of optometrists will grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. Increasing demand for optometrists is due in part to an aging population that will require more care for age-related vision conditions, such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Is optometry field oversaturated? ›
It's created a sense that the field may be oversaturated. Despite this, several factors indicate a continual demand for ODs, including the aging population, the increased prevalence of ocular conditions like glaucoma, and the need for optometric specialists.
How will AI change optometry? ›
The integration of AI in optometry has revolutionized the accuracy and efficiency of patient care. By leveraging advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques, AI systems can process complex datasets, identify subtle ocular abnormalities, and provide valuable insights for diagnosis and treatment.
How will technology change optometry in the future? ›
Enhance patient care.
AI-powered tools could help ODs to provide more personalized and comprehensive care to their patients. For example, AI technology in optometry could help in selecting the most suitable eyeglasses or contact lenses for a patient based on their unique vision needs and lifestyle factors.
Mostly for historical reasons during the parallel development of the two fields. Optometry developed out of the optical business when opticians would make and grind lenses. Certain opticians developed further training programs so as to be able to "refract," (measure eyes for the glasses prescription).
Why is an optometrist not a medical doctor? ›
Many people confuse the responsibilities of an optometrist and an ophthalmologist. Optometrists are not medical doctors. Instead, they have a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree after finishing three or more years of college and four years of optometry school.
Is optometry easier than med school? ›
So you are truly done in 4 years. But optometry school is not easy, it's just more focused on the eyes and the parts of the body that relates to the eyes. Medical school is a lot more information since they deal with the whole body. Some key differences is the malpractice insurance and cost/length of schooling.
What is the hardest class in optometry school? ›
Second year is the hardest year of optometry school and consists of your systemic disease, ocular disease, and pharmacology courses. The workload is significantly larger than first year because the material is much denser, so you can expect at least 2-3 quizzes a week.
Why is optometry so expensive? ›
Additional Tests: Specialized tests, like digital imaging of the eye, can add to the cost. These may be necessary for a more thorough assessment of eye health, particularly for those with risk factors or eye issues. Technology Used: Advanced technology for eye testing can result in higher costs.
What is the future of optometry AI? ›
AI in eye health is evolving rapidly. It widely uses multimodal imaging techniques and object markers, whether for detecting refraction errors, diagnosing, and monitoring eye diseases. Automated subjective refraction has proven to be faster than an optometrist, relatively accurate, and can be a great help.
Will robots replace opticians? ›
This is probably one of the key AI misconceptions. Automation has led to a significant change in many industries, and ophthalmology is no exception. So when will AI replace eye care specialists? The answer is quite simple — AI will never replace them.
What is the future of lens technology? ›
In 2023, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley developed a smart contact lens that could monitor glucose levels in tears. This could be a valuable tool for people with diabetes. In 2022, Google announced that it is developing a smart contact lens that could translate languages in real time.
Will technology take over radiology? ›
However, while AI accuracy is still a challenge, and access to radiological datasets remains limited, its development is likely to be slower than that of some other industries. Consequently, for the time being, radiologists are still an essential part of healthcare and will remain so in the foreseeable future.
