Changing Demographics

Changing demographics oblige us to take a close look at the eye care industry today.  Technological advances have brought about a significant shift in life expectancy.  The Canadian population is ageing, and life expectancy has increased; this will impact demand for eye exams and corrective vision wear in the coming years.  Forecasting data suggests that a very real crisis is looming in eye care as Canadian baby boomers age. 

 

Small retail operations will continue to function, and will certainly cater to a more senior target market.  However, the shift to a larger, elderly clientele will impact our capacity to service their eye care needs.  Proper future planning is critical to the years ahead.  The elderly are prone to particular eye diseases and conditions such as cataracts, diabetes, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.  All of these conditions need to be treated by ophthalmologists, of whom we are predicting a shortage in the future.   This can be addressed by encouraging the students of today to enter the ophthalmic field as their career of choice for tomorrow.

 

The future of our industry involves risk and uncertainty.  Current demographic trends will also create a multi-million dollar market for progressive lenses.  Our industry will also need to turn to new and innovative products and technology. 

 

Canada faces significant population ageing; this is a complex issue that concerns many broad areas such as heath, labour markets, public finances as well as the eye care industry.  What we do about it today, will inevitably affect us tomorrow.