A new report from Deloitte Access Economics highlights the need to address the critical supply and distribution of optometrists throughout Aotearoa to ensure the profession keeps pace with growing demand over the next 20 years. Commissioned by Specsavers, the report analyses optometry needs and workforce availability out to 2042 and considers alternative care models to improve eyecare delivery and patient outcomes.
Topline results reveal that even with the base assumption of there being no shortage of optometry care today, without major interventions there will be a shortfall of around 270 optometrists in New Zealand by 2042. The North Island will be short 167 full-time optometrists, equating to a 27% undersupply compared to demand, while the South Island will be short 104 optometrists, a 38% undersupply, by 2042.
Given the lack of a national eye survey in New Zealand, the report’s authors noted it was difficult to estimate the prevalence of eye conditions and thus understand the areas of greatest need for eyecare services. The number of optometric consultations should surpass 1.2 million by 2025¹, it said, primarily driven by an ageing population, an increase in chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, and improved detection and diagnosis of eye conditions at earlier stages. “In addition, the disruption and challenges to access faced by patients and healthcare professionals during the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted opportunities to consider the future delivery of optometry care.”
With Auckland University’s BOptom course close to capacity (50-60 graduates per year), the number of optometrists entering the New Zealand workplace is unlikely to increase significantly and could actually decline as graduates take advantage of new, more favourable immigration rules for Kiwis entering Australia, said Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers optometry director. “The cost of avoidable vision loss to the public health system runs into the billions of dollars, therefore ignoring the serious threat posed by a shortfall of optometrists will undoubtedly lead to an increased impact on the public health system and, most importantly, the quality of life for all New Zealanders.”
Though the report had to assume there were no current shortages, to ensure the analysis started from a best-case scenario, anyone involved in optometry practice in New Zealand today knows this is not the case, said Dr Ashby. Specsavers itself has optometry vacancies at 45% of its New Zealand stores, and 60% in outer-regional locations, he said. “With only one university offering an optometry course, combined with the changing demands of a modern optometry workforce looking for increased flexibility and urban living, it is evident this is a gap that will be difficult to close.”
