Ophthalmology Trends To Watch In 2018
Many factors are shaping global eye care today and in the immediate future, from the world’s aging population to technological advancements. Here are some trends that will help form the direction of ophthalmology in 2018.
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Aging and cataract prevalence
The global population age 60 and above is predicted to increase at a 3.1 percent average annual rate, and cataract patients in developed countries are getting more proactive – opting for earlier surgery – for increased longevity and the desire to stay active. There are growing numbers of younger, pre-cataract patients, for instance, that are expected to choose refractive lens exchange (RLE) with presbyopia-correcting IOLs to eliminate the need for future cataract surgery.
Thriving demand for better vision
In the information age, there’s greater public awareness in all fields of health care, with eye care seeing higher expectations in quality of vision. There’s also lower tolerance for post-operative refractive errors, with patients expecting independence from eyeglasses after cataract procedures.
Long road to preventative eye care treatment
According to a survey conducted by Wills Eye Hospital, most patients still do not seek this treatment and only visit an eye care specialist when they start having a specific problem. A mere 10 percent of respondents said they were very proactive in this area of eye health.
Rise of telemedicine
Providing health care virtually with the aid of technology is expected to become more popular in the coming years, where 61.8 percent of ophthalmologists in a survey agreed that telemedicine would have a bigger role in the future.
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