Opinion piece highlights quality assurance gaps in optometric care

Stefan Lahme’s opinion contribution, first published in DOZ 09/2026, examines the discrepancy between consumer expectations for reliable eye examinations and actual quality assurance in optometry. The text argues that missing transparency regarding qualifications, inconsistent continuing education, and structural weaknesses make quality difficult for consumers to verify. It notes that demographic shifts, including an aging population with higher risks of conditions like glaucoma, coincide with reduced ophthalmologist capacities due to retirements and changing workforce structures. While international new care models are emerging to address these resource gaps, the specific details of these approaches remain behind a paywall.