Ophthalmology Jobs: Trends and Tech and Their Impact on the Workforce

Ophthalmology is a field that’s rewarding and constantly evolving. Professionals in this field get to be at the forefront of technological advancement while making a profound impact on patients’ lives.

To learn how the industry has evolved and what this means for new employees and people interested in applying for ophthalmology jobs, we sat down with Daniel Flores, Director of Talent Management for Vision Integrated Partners (VIP).

Q: How has ophthalmology evolved, and what major changes have you observed in job roles?

A: Over the last decade, there's been a large increase in implementing electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) systems, which hold patient records. These systems began replacing paper charting more extensively in the late 2000s, accelerated by the HITECH Act of 2009. With paper charting, if there was a fire, the records could get burned, and there was no way to track it. Today, with EMR and EHR systems, all patient information, demographic information, and important imaging or results can be kept in an online folder. 

Intraocular lenses for cataract surgery have also evolved over the past decade. There are new advances in intraocular lenses that are continuously happening, and there are also constantly new lenses being developed, such as the Light Adjustable Lens, leading to better patient care. 

Another major advancement in ophthalmology is the selling and merging of ophthalmology practices. According to a survey of 9,000 ophthalmologists by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 10 percent of ophthalmology practices were already involved in selling or merging their practice. Of these, 6 percent were sold to private equity. Another 16 percent planned on selling or merging their practice in the upcoming future. These numbers indicate many growth opportunities as well as turnover.

Q: What healthcare industry trends are you seeing as it relates to ophthalmology jobs? 

A: Staffing shortages have been prominent since the pandemic happened, but it's causing much more competition among practices. It’s resulting in creative ways to recruit and develop new employees, such as providing better benefits, pay, flexibility, improved work/life balance, or sign-on bonuses for some positions. 

One development opportunity we offer at VIP is that a team of instructors will do on-the-job training and development with new hires who have minimal experience or no experience in some of the entry-level jobs, such as ophthalmic technicians. We trained them on how to do all the procedures that we do in our practices. 

Additionally, new technology is making it quicker to diagnose and create treatment plans for patients, which is improving overall care, making time spent with patients more efficient, and leading to better patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now helping to almost instantly suggest a diagnosis of ophthalmology patients by analyzing images with algorithms. Previously, diagnosis required developing the photo first, which took additional time. 

Q: What are some of the  biggest challenges currently facing the ophthalmology industry, and how are they impacting jobs?

A: Staffing is the biggest challenge across all of healthcare, and there’s going to be a pretty dramatic increase in the demand for employees in ophthalmology.

An aging population is leading to an increase in eye diseases. As baby boomers age, more individuals are developing eye conditions. However, there’s a shortage of staff to care for the growing number of patients with these issues.

Additionally, fewer ophthalmologists are entering the field. Medical school admissions for ophthalmology are more competitive due to the limited number of specialized programs compared to traditional medical schools. Consequently, only a limited number of new ophthalmologists can be trained each year.

Q: How are new technologies, such as telemedicine and AI, impacting the types of roles and skills needed in ophthalmology?

A: AI algorithms can analyze large amounts of patient data and can help doctors provide accurate and fast diagnoses for eye diseases, such as glaucoma, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration. In regards to screening and monitoring, AI-powered technology could help providers screen patients by taking a picture of their eye with a smartphone and then analyzing the photo and diagnosing signs of disease with the patient’s provider.

AI is being developed to help patients select the most suitable eyeglasses or contact lenses for patients based on visual needs. 

Q: Are there any specific technologies that are driving the demand for new roles or skills?

A: With the advent of more technologies, there’s an increasing need for employees who are experts in these systems. One of the biggest challenges for the previous generation of employees was transitioning from paper charting to EMR or EHR systems. In the past, insurance verification involved calling a phone number on the back of the insurance card. Now, there are often online dashboards for insurance verification, but phone verification may still be used in some instances. 

With new lenses technologies or procedures, experts are needed to discuss the new lenses or procedure with patients and make sure they’re well-versed on the technology and how it will benefit them.

Q: What ophthalmology jobs are the most in demand?

A: A lot of times, people get into entry-level positions, such as a receptionist or technician, to gain experience for higher positions, such as a surgical technician or nurse. So, there’s a high demand for receptionists and technicians due to employee advancement, and there’s also demand for ophthalmologists.

Join a rapidly growing career field.

Ready to get in on a rapidly growing industry and be a part of a dynamic and innovative team? VIP is the place for you. 

We’re always looking for talented people with a passion for caring for others to join our team. Learn more about our exciting ophthalmology jobs by exploring our open positions today.