How Will the Ophthalmologist Shortage Impact Your Next Study?

The ophthalmologist shortage affects clinical trials with ocular endpoints. With only 1 ophthalmologist for every 17,235 patients, sponsors and CROs face endpoint access challenges. This workforce gap impacts approximately 2,850 clinical trials annually.

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 clinical trial with ocular endpoints.

The Ophthalmologist Shortage Crisis: 1 Provider Per 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. 

Six Ways the Ophthalmologist Shortage Increases Clinical Trial Risk

This nationwide shortage of ophthalmologists will impact not just ophthalmic clinical trials but also trials in oncology, endocrinology, central nervous system, and rare diseases. Every year, roughly 2,850 clinical trials in these therapeutic areas involve ocular endpoints 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 ophthalmic assessments, but the ophthalmologist shortage introduces a variety of risks to trial execution:

• 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.  

How Point-of-Need Delivery Solves Ophthalmologist Shortage Challenges

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. We have completed thousands of ophthalmic assessments over dozens of 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 study duration. If additional sites or subjects are required – we are prepared to expand our resources to support the study’s success.

Protect Your Clinical Trial From Ophthalmologist Shortage Impact

The ophthalmologist shortage will continue affecting clinical trial execution as the aging population grows and specialists retire. Point-of-need delivery eliminates endpoint access barriers while maintaining data quality and protocol compliance.

Request a protocol review and endpoint execution risk assessment to identify where ophthalmologist availability may impact your clinical trial timeline. Discover how 20/20 Onsite's Mobile Vision Clinics deliver ophthalmic assessments across 48 states with 98% accuracy.