Will Optometrists be replaced by AI & Robots? (2024)

FAQs

Will Optometrists be replaced by AI & Robots? ›

Conclusion: 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.

Based on the latest statistics from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, we can expect approximately 1,800 new optometrists each year in the coming years. Roughly 1,100 clinicians are expected to exit the profession each year, resulting in a net increase of 700 per year.

The profession is expected to grow by 10% between 2021 and 2031, with around 1,700 openings in the field per year. This growth is fueled by optometry career trends that are changing the type of care optometrists provide.

But it wasn't until the early 1970s that AI was introduced to healthcare when a program using a powerful algorithm to diagnose illness was developed. Today, the use of AI adds value to the patient experience, but it's unlikely that computers will ever replace human physicians.

AI can serve as a valuable complementary tool for optometrists. By automating certain tasks, such as image analysis and data processing, AI can free up time for optometrists to focus on patient interaction, education, and treatment planning. This allows for a more comprehensive and personalized approach to eye care.

While AI can enhance capabilities in the field of optometry, it is unlikely to completely replace optometrist. The human touch, empathy and skill set of optometrists elevate the quality of eye care and AI should be embraced as a powerful tool that complements rather than replaces human expertise.

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.

AI technology in optometry is improving diagnostic accuracy and enhancing practices' overall efficiency. By automating tasks such as image analysis and data entry, AI frees up optometrists' time, allowing them to focus more on patient interaction and complex decision-making.

Optometrists are respected in the community and are often an integral part of the healthcare system.

So when will AI replace eye care specialists? The answer is quite simple — AI will never replace them. It will eventually take over routine tasks, allowing the careers of ophthalmologists and optometrists to advance in new and exciting directions.

How long will it take for AI to replace doctors? ›

One consensus estimates 25 years. Maybe less. I believe that AI will perform all three main functions of physicians, the first of which is determining a diagnosis and medical treatment; collecting and analyzing data; and then making recommendations on further testing and treatment. Most of this can be done now.

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.

Future of AI in Ophthalmology:

AI may directly diagnose diseases of the cornea like keratoconus, forecast their progression and predict IOL power. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a valuable part of various industries. Recently, it has been tested particularly with LASIK and PRK surgery.

It allows those with a visual impairment to essentially “see” what is in a photo through A.I. describing its features to them. When a user has a screen reader turned on after a photo is selected, Facebook then uses A.I. algorithms to detect basic characteristics within the image and translates it into new alt text.

Job Outlook

About 6,400 openings for opticians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Healthcare Education Challenges

Universities turn away thousands of qualified optometry applicants every year due to limited capacity or lack of resources. Those who do make it into optometry programs often fail out due to demanding course loads and extremely high standards.

74.1% of all optometrists are women, while 25.9% are men. The average optometrist age is 44 years old.

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).