The Optometry Surplus: A Quantitative Determination of Excess Densities

The Optometry Surplus:
A Quantitative Determination Of Excess Densities


Kenneth J. Myers, Ph.D., O.D.
President, American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry
Director Emeritus, Optometry Service, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C.
June, 2014

Myers.kenj@gmail.com

Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Future Surplus Numbers
3. Purpose of Study
4. Methodology, Parameters Determining Density, Past Studies
5. Concluding Opinions
6. Footnotes
7. Appendix
8. Bibliography

Executive Summary

This study calculates the degree to which additional schools of optometry, and increased enrollments at existing schools have, and will, produce record densities (D) of optometrists and an increasing surplus of optometry manpower.

Since 1997, graduates will, this year, have increased by 42%, enrollments by 55% and density of optometrists by 11%, from D=11.5 in 1997 to over D = 12.8 per 100,000.

In 1997 the national Optometry Census led to the conclusion supply equaled demand for the density at that time of D=11.5. A manpower study, released in 2000 by Abt. Associates, sponsored by the AOA, projected surpluses from 1998 to 2030 if graduation rates remained at 1,127. But, graduation rates have increased and will reach 1,700 by 2016 and perhaps approach 1,900 by 2018 when two additional schools begin to produce graduates. In the past 80 years D has only once, briefly, reached 14 in the early 1950’s.

This surge in enrollments, if unchecked, will cause densities to reach record highs each year until eventually peaking at D=15-17. Creditable projections of future population growth and demand for optometry care do not require these high densities, and will create market disorders as population growth rate is low and falling.

A surplus density creates real hardships for optometrists burdened with educational loans and especially new graduates, and is a misuse of valuable human resources. Then, if applications decline as candidates question entering an overpopulated profession, this can drive schools to accept less qualified applicants. Applicants for the 2013 entering classes, for example, were already below 1.4 per seat.

Free-standing schools unaffiliated with universities, have higher enrollments and are most vulnerable. Two have begun training physician assistants or audiologists to mitigate effects of optometry oversupply and declines in applicants.

As in other education “bubbles” there are three key drivers:

• Overly optimistic predictions of future demand and employment opportunities.
• Accreditation Council on Optometric Education standards that, unlike medical and dental accrediting bodies, lack quantifiable, clinical, training requirements.
• Guaranteed student loans for which schools have no re-payment obligations.

This paper quantifies the impact increased enrollments have had, and will have, on future supply as measured by the density (D) of optometrists.

Continue Reading
ODwire.org RadioTechnology

Growing Your Practice with Advanced Clinical Technologies – Dr. Jennifer Redfern [#R035]

Young clinicians frequently ask how they can differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

In this ODwire.org Radio Show, Dr. Jennifer Redfern sits down with us to discuss the impact of using the latest clinical technologies in her practice.

We focus on the Duette lens by SynergEyes, and how she’s using this advanced technology lens to differentiate herself & grow her contact lens practice.

If you have any questions for Jennifer, feel free to leave a message in this thread (or contact her via an ODwire.org Private Message.)

Our thanks to SynergEyes for sponsoring this show

Continue Reading
ODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Using Truly360 Interactive Google Tours to Differentiate your Practice [#R034]

On this episode of ODwire.org Radio, we interview long-time ODwire.org sponsor & Truly360 President Matthew Focht about using the NEW Truly360 Google Interactive Tours to differentiate your practice & give you an edge among people searching for ODs.

We learn:

  • What Google Interactive Tours Are
  • How they can differentiate your practice from others in your area when people search online
  • How they impact your search rankings
  • Truly360’s network of “Google Trusted Photographers”, and why it is critical to use experienced professionals when setting this up
  • The technical details of how the tours are filmed and posted to Google, and how Truly360 handles this for the OD, including embedding the tour on your own web site.

If you’ve got an office that you’re proud of, you owe it to yourself listen to the show & learn about this new product.

Truly360 offer
Hey, it wouldn’t be an ODwire.org Radio show without a deal for you…

Google Interactive Tours can cost $1000 or more to create and manage. However, if you use Tru for your credit card processing, Tru will pick up nearly the entire tab, dropping the charge to $39!

Learn more by listening to the show, or get more information from Truly360.

Any questions? Just post in this thread..

Continue Reading
ODwire.org RadioTechnology

Dr. James Kirchner & the New SynergEyes Hybrid Lenses [#R033]

On this episode of ODwire.org Radio, we speak with Dr. James Kirchner, President & CEO of SynergEyes.

Topics we cover include:

  • The newest members of the SynergEyes Duette line, including the new Duette Progressive
  • The development & evolution of hybrid lens technology
  • Clinical aspects of the new UltraHealth lens, how to fit it, and where & when to use it (vs. sclerals)

Dr. Kirchner is available to answer questions in this thread, so… fire away!

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org Radio

Dr. Irving Bennett — The Practice Management Legend Speaks! [#R032]

On this edition of ODwire.org Radio, we were incredibly fortunate to have an in-depth conversation with Dr. Irving Bennett.

For those who don’t know him, Dr. Bennett literally wrote the book on practice management in eye care, and is the founder of the Bennett Center for Practice Management at PCO.

With a career that spans eight decades (he started in the mid-1940’s), Dr. Bennett has seen just about everything.

Highlights of our talk include:

  • How he devised & founded Optometric Management
  • How he founded VisionExpo, the largest eyecare show in the world
  • His thoughts on board certification, practitioner oversupply, the opening of new schools, and where he sees the profession heading
  • An amusing (painful?) story of how he passed up an opportunity to be the first to import Varilux lenses to the US!

If you are at all curious about the history of eye care, you won’t want to miss this show.

And if you have any follow-up questions for Dr. Bennett (or just want to reminisce), you can post in this thread.

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Clinical Coordination & Collaborative Care with Dr. Richard Hom [#R031]

Dr. Richard Hom — an ODwire.org regular and the National Optometric Director at WellPoint — stops by to talk with Paul and Adam about the importance of ODs coordinating with other healthcare providers and sharing information in order to improve outcomes and efficiency.

He also talks about what he’s working on at Blue View Vision, including software initiatives that help with the two-way flow of information to and from your office & the offices of other care providers. (spoiler alert: you may already be using some of his work in your office!

Feel free to ask Richard follow-up questions in this thread.

Our thanks to Anthem/Blue View Vision for giving us the opportunity to talk to Richard about his work!

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org Radio

VSP Vision Care President, Jim McGrann (part 1 of 2) [#R030]

In this episode, Paul and Adam get the chance to chat with Jim McGrann, the President of VSP Vision Care.

In Part 1 of the interview, we talk about VSP’s history, their policies, audits, and how the company is positioning itself as the Affordable Care Act unfolds.

Please leave feedback about the show in the discussion thread below. Jim is very hands-on, and will attempt to answer any questions you might have about the company.

Enjoy!

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioPractice Management

Reducing Optical Costs: Talking SmartOD.com with Dr. Dan Dieterichs [#R029]

In this show, private practitioner Dr. Dan Dieterichs stops by to talk to us about reducing costs of goods sold in the optical.

We explore “Dental Envy“, Independent Practitioner Associations, and talk about the new SmartOD.com, and how buying frames factory-direct can lower the cost of goods in your optical.

Leave feedback for Dan in this thread!

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioTechnology

Building a Dry Eye Practice – Dr. Art Epstein [#R028]

Dry eye is an extremely common condition that’s often been under-diagnosed and treated.

But thanks to advances in our understanding of dry eye, the availability of new diagnostic tools, and new forms of treatment, OD’s have a real opportunity not only to help patients, but also grow their bottom line.

In this ODwire.org Radio interview, Dr. Art Epstein stops by to:

  • Review the pathophysiology of dry eye
  • Talk about new diagnostic equipment and techniques …
  • How his practice became known as one of the premiere dry eye centers in Arizona. (And tips on how you can replicate his success in your area.)

Don’t miss the great practice-building advice in this show!

Sponsored by Oculus
Now featuring their Keratograph 5M Topographer!

Continue Reading
InterviewODwire.org RadioTechnology

Pupil Dependent Refraction – Dr. John Warren (Part 3 of 3) [#R027]

Why isn’t a patient seeing clearly even though you’ve refracted them perfectly?

Why do you frequently see a major impact on the Rx in sunlight vs. dark

In this final interview with Dr. John Warren, we talk about the idea of the “Pupil Dependent Refraction” —

  • how aberrometry can help provide you with the data that you need to give the patient the best clinical outcome possible.
  • How to work the technology into your exam and office workflow
  • How to have a positive ROI when implementing this technology
Continue Reading