An impending physician shortage has been hanging over ophthalmology for years. The aging population needs more eye care, but as ophthalmologists are aging with that population, there are not enough incoming physicians to take their place.
According to an analysis of HHS data published in Ophthalmology earlier this year, the total ophthalmology supply is projected to decrease by 2,650 full-time equivalent ophthalmologists, or 12%, from 2020 to 2035. Meanwhile, the analysis projected that total demand would increase by 5,150 full-time equivalent ophthalmologists, or 24%.
The overall supply and