Viewpoint: Time to Prepare to Offer In-Office Laser Care? - Summary - MDSpire

Viewpoint: Time to Prepare to Offer In-Office Laser Care?

In this month’s cover feature, “Pre-paring to Offer In-Office Laser Procedures” (p.7), Drs. Brooke Major, Emma Strunks, and Nathan Lighthizer address the question of whether it’s time to ready your practice for this technology.

  • January 1, 2026

  • 3 min

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Objective:

To evaluate the readiness of optometric practices to offer in-office laser procedures and the implications for patient care and practice revenue, including potential benefits and challenges.

Key Findings:
  • Out of 146,403 laser procedures by optometrists, only 2 had negative outcomes, indicating high effectiveness and safety.
  • A significant portion of the aging population lives in rural areas, increasing the demand for eye disease interventions, particularly in underserved regions.
  • The US ophthalmology workforce is projected to face a shortage by 2035, necessitating expanded optometric services to meet patient needs.
Interpretation:

The findings suggest a strong case for optometrists to prepare for in-office laser procedures, given the high effectiveness of these interventions and the increasing demand driven by demographic shifts.

Limitations:
  • The studies reviewed may not encompass all geographic regions or practice settings, potentially limiting the generalizability of the findings.
  • Future projections depend on legislative changes and workforce adaptations, which may vary by state.
Conclusion:

With favorable outcomes and increasing demand, it is timely for optometric practices to consider offering in-office laser procedures as a viable service to enhance patient care and practice revenue.

Original Source(s)

Viewpoint: Time to Prepare to Offer In-Office Laser Care?

  • January 1, 2026

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