The American population is aging, and that means more patients will soon need access to specialty eye care. However, a stark reality is upon us: there is a shortage of physicians who can diagnose and treat certain eye diseases.
Sponsors, CROs, and clinical researchers are already impacted by the ophthalmologist shortage: 25% of non-pediatric ophthalmologists serve just eight states, and children’s eye care is even more underserved. In fact, four states have no pediatric ophthalmologists at all. As a result, most clinical trial patients are forced to travel off-site (and some, out of state) for essential eye assessments required by a protocol.
20/20 Onsite eliminates the blind spot in clinical research: Off-site eye exams open clinical trials up to unnecessary risks, jeopardizing their success and compromising efficiency. Our Mobile Vision Clinics and trained ophthalmic staff increase accessibility to clinical vision care, even in areas with a scarcity of ophthalmologists.
Read on to understand how the current shortage of ophthalmologists in the United States could impact your ophthalmic — or non-ophthalmic — clinical trial.
The reality of the ophthalmologist shortage: 1 for every 17,235 patients
The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates there are 19,000 active ophthalmologists practicing in the United States. That is about one ophthalmologist for every 17,235 people in the U.S. – not nearly enough to serve the clinical research industry and an aging general population with growing vision care needs.
The shortage of ophthalmologists in the U.S. is a growing problem with a variety of complex factors exacerbating the issue.
- Aging population = more demand: Older adults are more susceptible to eye conditions, and they will soon outnumber young people. According to the American Optometric Association, “Older adults are projected to outnumber people under age 18 by 2035—for the first time in U.S. history.” As the American population ages, the demand for eye care will grow.
- Ophthalmologists are retiring: An article published in the Review of Ophthalmology reports that roughly 550 ophthalmologists retire each year.
- There are not enough graduates: Just 450 residency graduates are estimated to enter the field annually. Although the number of patients is growing, the number of new doctors entering the field is not keeping pace. Ophthalmology is a highly specialized field, and the number of medical students choosing to pursue this specialization is limited.
Maximize efficiency and reduce risk for non-ophthalmic clinical trials
This nationwide shortage of ophthalmologists will not just impact ophthalmic clinical trials but also trials in oncology, endocrinology, central nervous system, and rare diseases. Every year, roughly 2,850 non-ophthalmic clinical trials involve eye exams as a crucial drug safety and evaluation measure.
Ophthalmologists are overburdened already, and many are unable to take on clinical research opportunities as a result. Typically, clinical trials send patients off-site for eye exams but this shortage introduces a variety of risks:
- More work: Simply put, sending patients off-site increases the administrative burden to sites and is inconvenient for patients.
- Impact on data quality: Eye assessments are a critical component of clinical research, and sending subjects off-site can introduce variables in testing times, location, and endpoint collection.
- Increased likelihood of trial delay: Finding providers who are not only available but also equipped to participate can be a challenge for sponsors and CROs. Prolonged trials not only delay potential treatment breakthroughs but also increase costs associated with monitoring, data collection, and patient retention.
- Site recruitment challenges: Many desirable research sites that are most convenient to patients are not equipped with the necessary ocular equipment needed for most trials.
- Increased costs: Running clinical trials is a costly endeavor. Extended timelines, difficulty recruiting patients, and the need to hire additional staff to compensate for the shortage all contribute to increased expenses, potentially jeopardizing the financial feasibility of trials.
- Inexperienced clinicians: Most eye clinics are not equipped for clinical trials. Even if they have the necessary equipment and training, they may not be familiar with the unique acquisition protocols and data management necessary in a highly regulated environment.
Mobile Vision Clinics address this problem and ensure efficient clinical trials
20/20 Onsite offers three mobile care delivery models to help sponsors and CROs access diverse patient populations, expand site reach, and increase enrollment for clinical trials. Over the course of three years, we have completed over 1300 assessments in 12 clinical trials across multiple indications.
Why our Mobile Vision Clinics work
- Optimize your clinical trial protocols: 20/20 Onsite has extensive experience creating efficiencies in protocols, including leveraging more available clinical staff like optometrists and ophthalmic technicians to complete assessments.
- Accelerate start-up: We move fast completing essential training and documentation to ensure your trial proceeds on schedule.
- Enhance patient experience: 20/20 Onsite seamlessly integrates with your clinical site and staff, ensuring patients receive top-quality care and improving patient retention.
- Ability to adapt to your clinical trial: Our team will be by your side for the entire duration of the study. If additional sites or subjects are required – we are prepared to expand our resources to support the study’s success.
Do not let eye exams hold back your clinical trial
Deliver care when and where you need it with 20/20 Onsite. As the aging population continues to grow and ophthalmologists retire, sponsors and CROs will turn to mobile and modular clinics for essential ocular assessments.