Optometrist Job Growth: The Future of Eye Care

Good news for optometrists: Patient trends show a growing need for eye care due to the aging population and the rise in digital screen use.

The role of optometrists has shifted to diagnosing, managing, and preventing ocular diseases and systemic conditions, rather than the more traditional role of conducting routine eye exams. In a given day, you might diagnose glaucoma, conduct vision therapy or low vision rehabilitation, prescribe corrective lenses, and educate patients on proper vision care techniques.

As optometry job growth continues to advance, so will the technologies and trends involved in patient care. Staying ahead of trends enables private practices to remain competitive and leverage the most effective tools to deliver care. With Weave, you can streamline and enhance patient engagement and spend more time caring for patients.

Job outlook and growth trends

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% job growth for optometry through 2033. Over 2,000 annual job openings are projected due to retirements and increased demand for eye care.

This career has a strong median salary of approximately $131,860 according to the BLS, with the low end sitting around $101,000 and the high end reaching $162,000+. Many optometrists consider this a well-paying, relatively low-stress career. Becoming a doctor of optometry may be a wise path for those looking for a stable career that requires less clinical training than a medical doctor.

Demand and shortages in the optometry field

One of the reasons behind optometry job growth is the growing need for vision care across virtually all age groups. The risk of many ocular conditions increases with age, and the current aging population has heightened the need for optometrists largely due to this fact.

Meanwhile, screen usage has increased significantly over the past decade due to the rise in smartphones, tablets, personal computers, video games, and computer-based professions. Using screens for long periods can cause digital eye strain, nearsightedness, loss of focus flexibility, and dry and irritated eyes.

The younger population is particularly seeing an increased need for eye care due to extensive screen use. Teens spend an average of seven hours and 22 minutes per day in front of screens, which can cause significant eye strain and affect eyesight.

While preventive care and routine eye exams are important for everyone, there is often a shortage of optometrists in rural and underserved areas. This shortage has also impacted the demand for optometry positions across the U.S.

As new health care access initiatives roll out, there may be even more open positions available for optometrists. Those just graduating from optometry school may have a range of career opportunities to choose from in their area.

Saturation, growth, and the future of optometry

Some urban areas may be facing a higher degree of saturation among optometry positions, but rural areas still have a growing need for these professionals. Optometry students worried about oversaturation should understand a few factors that may prevent this:

• Cost of education: Optometry school is a significant financial investment, which may deter some students from choosing this career path.
• Licensure requirements: The field has relatively strict licensure requirements that vary by state, which may deter some optometrists from moving to other areas of the U.S. that may already be saturated.
• Expanding roles: The roles of an optometrist have already changed significantly in recent decades, and their skills and scopes of practice continue to expand. This will likely open up even more job opportunities.

Many states are passing legislation to broaden the authority of optometrists to prescribe medications and perform certain procedures. As of early 2024, 12 states permitted optometrists to perform laser procedures. Some states have also allowed optometrists to administer injections around the eyes and provide local anesthetics, roles traditionally reserved for ophthalmologists.

There will be a growing need for optometrists in tele-optometry, chronic disease management, and AI-enhanced diagnostics as well. 

Implications for practice owners and managers

Optometrist job growth and heightened demand have been coupled with hiring and retention challenges for private practices. Clinics must adapt to increasing patient volumes and the new clinical complexities of this role.

Optometry practices can stay competitive by looking for ways to improve operational efficiency while providing a superior patient experience. Weave supports optometry practices with a range of communication and engagement features, including:

• Online scheduling tools that make it easier than ever for patients to make appointments
• Automated reminders that reduce no-shows
• Two-way texting features that enable patients to effortlessly ask questions and seek assistance
• Phone communication tools to prevent missed calls and engage patients
• Streamlined billing, digital forms, and team chat internal coordination for faster front desk operations

With these features, optometrists can dedicate more time to patient care while automating practice growth.

Building a future-ready optometry practice

Preparing optometry practices for future challenges and opportunities involves careful attention to new technology and the adoption of feature-rich patient engagement platforms. Adopting scalable tools streamlines rote, manual tasks. The best engagement platforms also provide performance metrics to help practices make data-driven decisions.

Weave’s platform can enhance practice growth and patient retention while saving optometrists time.

Embrace tools for practice growth and patient care

Optometry is in an excellent position to see long-term job growth and exciting evolution. Those interested in this field can expect a stable, rewarding career, while practice managers can gain confidence in the positive outlook for this career.

Eye care leaders must embrace tools and trends to thrive in this ever-changing industry. Request a demo today to learn how Weave can support your practice.

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