What US eye care professionals want most from the next generation of perimetry
- PeriVision
- Sep 26
- 8 min read
Introduction
The landscape of glaucoma care in the United States is shifting rapidly. With the aging population growing and glaucoma cases on the rise, eye care professionals are under increasing pressure to deliver faster, more accurate, and more accessible diagnostics. Perimetry, the gold standard for detecting and monitoring glaucoma, is central to this challenge. However, traditional visual field testing (VFT) systems often slow down clinical workflows and create barriers for both patients and providers.
In our recent market research, conducted with SERMO and BioPort USA, a clear divide emerged between the priorities of optometrists and ophthalmologists. Optometrists tend to focus on operational efficiency, with the majority citing long test times as their top frustration. This directly impacts their ability to see more patients and increase revenue. On the other hand, ophthalmologists are more concerned with the reliability of test results and the availability of trained staff to conduct exams. For them, accurate diagnostics and optimal use of human resources take priority over sheer speed.
These insights suggest that the next generation of perimetry must address both sets of needs simultaneously. Faster testing is essential to help optometrists boost patient throughput, while improved data reliability and automation can support ophthalmologists in managing complex cases.
Portability, ease of integration with clinical systems, and patient comfort also emerged as significant factors for both groups. These findings provide the foundation for deeper insights from the survey, which highlight how the priorities of optometrists and ophthalmologists translate into concrete expectations for next-generation perimetry. PeriVision’s next-generation platforms are designed to deliver on this combined need: speed, accuracy, and flexibility, while fitting seamlessly into daily workflows.
Context: The growing burden of glaucoma and why it is reshaping perimetry needs
Glaucoma is one of the most pressing public health challenges in ophthalmology today. Globally, more than 2.2 billion people live with some form of vision impairment, and over 1 billion of those cases are either preventable or untreated. Within this alarming statistic, glaucoma stands out as the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after cataracts. Unlike cataracts, however, vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, which makes early detection and continuous monitoring critical.
The numbers tell a clear story. The global prevalence of glaucoma among people aged 40 to 80 years is estimated at 3.54 percent. By 2040, the number of individuals affected is projected to reach nearly 112 million, up from just over 64 million in 2013. In the United States, demographic changes will accelerate this trend. The proportion of Americans aged 65 and older is expected to more than double by 2050, significantly increasing the population at risk of glaucoma and other age-related eye diseases.
This demographic shift presents a dual challenge for the eye care sector. First, the demand for diagnostic capacity will grow sharply as more patients require regular monitoring to detect disease progression. Second, the limited number of trained eye care professionals will be under greater strain to meet this rising demand. This imbalance creates an urgent need for more efficient and scalable diagnostic tools.
The current gold standard for detecting and monitoring glaucoma is Standard Automated Perimetry (SAP). Devices like the Humphrey Field Analyzer have served the industry for decades and have strong clinical validation. However, they come with notable limitations:
Large physical footprint that requires a dedicated, darkened room
High initial investment costs that can be a barrier for smaller practices
Long testing times that can reduce patient throughput
Need for highly trained technicians to operate the equipment
Patient discomfort that can reduce compliance and accuracy
These limitations have a ripple effect. Long test times contribute to patient fatigue and discomfort, which in turn can compromise test accuracy. Unreliable results often require retesting, consuming even more staff time and clinic resources. For high-volume practices, this inefficiency directly impacts revenue and patient satisfaction.
Emerging portable and AI-powered perimetry solutions have the potential to break this cycle by offering shorter test times, improved patient comfort, and seamless integration into diverse clinical environments. The growing burden of glaucoma is not just a medical challenge but a technological and operational one.
PeriVision’s approach to next-generation perimetry is specifically designed to address both, combining clinical precision with workflow efficiency.
Get in touch with PeriVision to learn how next-generation perimetry can support your practice
Survey insights: contrasting priorities of ophthalmologists and optometrists
One of the most valuable insights from our market survey of US eye care professionals is the clear difference in priorities between ophthalmologists and optometrists. Understanding this divide is essential for developing perimetry solutions that address the specific needs of each group.
While both professions share the same overarching goal of preserving vision, their clinical environments, patient workflows, and business models shape what they value most in diagnostic equipment.
Optometrists: Speed and patient volume as top priorities
For optometrists, long test times are the single biggest obstacle in visual field testing. In our survey, 67 percent ranked “long time to conduct tests” as their number one concern, and 87 percent placed it within their top two. In a business model where patient throughput is directly linked to revenue, every additional minute spent on a test is a lost opportunity to see another patient.
Optometrists also see strong potential in automation. Many view AI-powered assistants and automated perimetry as a way to run more tests in less time, freeing staff for other tasks and increasing daily patient volume. This connection between faster testing and higher throughput makes speed not just a convenience but a direct driver of business performance.
Ophthalmologists: Data reliability and staff optimization
Ophthalmologists, on the other hand, focus primarily on the reliability of the diagnostic data. In the survey, 35 percent ranked “unreliable data or results” as their top concern, and 47 percent placed it within their top two. For specialists who manage complex and advanced glaucoma cases, a small data error can influence treatment decisions with serious implications for patient outcomes.
They also face a staffing challenge. Nearly 53 percent ranked “need for trained staff to be present” among their top two concerns. Ophthalmology practices often employ highly trained technicians whose time is costly. Automating parts of the visual field testing process allows these skilled staff members to focus on more advanced procedures that generate higher value for the practice.
Why this distinction matters for the next generation of perimetry
The difference in priorities means that a one-size-fits-all marketing or product positioning strategy is unlikely to resonate equally with both groups. To succeed, next-generation perimetry must deliver a dual value proposition:
For optometrists, the focus should be on speed, efficiency, and the ability to increase patient throughput without sacrificing accuracy.
For ophthalmologists, the emphasis should be on clinical certainty, consistency of results, and the ability to free skilled staff for other critical tasks.
By aligning product benefits with these distinct needs, manufacturers and technology providers can build stronger adoption rates and position themselves as indispensable partners in modern eye care.
What US eye care professionals want most in next-generation perimetry
The survey results make it clear that US eye care professionals are looking for transformative improvements in visual field testing. These expectations align closely with the workflow pressures and clinical priorities identified in earlier sections.
Speed is the leading priority
Across the entire sample, faster visual field testing was the most desired benefit, with 44 percent ranking it as their top priority. For optometrists, this figure rises to 58 percent, confirming that reduced testing time directly supports their business model. Shorter tests mean less waiting time for patients, less disruption to scheduling, and greater overall clinic efficiency.
More reliable data is a close second
Data reliability was ranked as the most appealing benefit by 28 percent of the total sample, and by 35 percent of ophthalmologists specifically. This aligns with their concern about the clinical accuracy of visual field results and the importance of having consistent data to guide treatment decisions. For ophthalmologists managing advanced glaucoma cases, reliable data is not just a preference but a requirement for safe, evidence-based care.
Portability is emerging as a strategic advantage
Portability ranked within the top three benefits for both professions, with 17 percent of ophthalmologists and 8 percent of optometrists ranking it as their number one choice. A portable device can support more flexible workflows, allow testing outside of the traditional dedicated room, and potentially expand access to eye care in remote or underserved regions. Portability also complements telehealth initiatives, which have been gaining traction in the United States eye care market.
Automation links technology to business growth
Automated assistance was a top-two benefit for 42 percent of optometrists and 24 percent of ophthalmologists. While optometrists view automation primarily as a way to handle higher patient volumes, ophthalmologists see it as a way to free highly trained staff for more complex procedures. Both perspectives point to the same conclusion: automation must enhance productivity without compromising the quality of results.
The business case for faster, more reliable perimetry
While the clinical benefits of next-generation perimetry are clear, the business implications are equally important. Eye care practices in the United States operate in a competitive environment where efficiency, patient throughput, and return on investment play a major role in technology adoption.
Quantifying the impact on patient volume
Survey data shows that practices expect substantial gains in patient volume when using a system that does not require a technician to be present during the test. The median projected increase across all respondents falls between 21 and 30 percent. For a high-volume clinic, this translates into significant revenue growth over the course of a year.
For optometrists, these numbers directly connect to business performance. Their model depends on seeing more patients each day, and faster visual field testing means more appointment slots can be opened without extending clinic hours. For ophthalmologists, the benefit is often more about reallocating resources. Highly trained staff can be assigned to complex procedures or specialized care instead of spending time administering routine tests.
A resource optimization opportunity
By making visual field testing faster and more intuitive, next-generation perimetry enables more productive workflows and allows clinical teams to work more efficiently. Technicians and assistants are not replaced but empowered , freed from lengthy or repetitive test administration, they can dedicate more time to higher-value tasks and patient interaction. This not only improves staff satisfaction but also supports clinics facing high labor costs or staff shortages. For ophthalmology practices, especially those operating in premium real estate spaces, the portability of PeriVision’s platform adds further flexibility by allowing testing rooms to be repurposed for other clinical activities.
Improving patient experience as a competitive differentiator
Patient comfort and convenience are often underestimated business drivers. A shorter, more comfortable test can lead to better compliance, fewer repeat visits due to unreliable results, and more positive patient reviews. In competitive urban markets, where patients can choose between multiple providers, this can become a differentiating factor that supports retention and word-of-mouth referrals.
ROI supported by both revenue and cost savings
When the financial benefits of increased patient volume, optimized staff allocation, and reduced retesting are combined, the return on investment for next-generation perimetry becomes compelling. For decision-makers who control budgets, these quantifiable advantages can justify a premium purchase price.
Preferred purchasing models and value perception
Survey results confirm that most American eye care professionals (especially ophthalmologists) favor a traditional capital expenditure model, with upfront purchase and service contracts. This reflects the perception of diagnostic devices as long-term clinical assets. At the same time, optometrists show more openness to flexible approaches such as subscription-based models, making them an interesting secondary opportunity.
Crucially, the survey also highlights that pricing directly influences perceived quality: very low costs are often seen as a signal of poor reliability. This reinforces the importance of positioning next-generation perimetry as a premium, high-trust clinical solution.
Conclusion
The convergence of rising glaucoma prevalence, aging demographics, and the limitations of traditional visual field testing has created a rare opening in the US eye care market. Both ophthalmologists and optometrists are actively seeking solutions that address their most pressing challenges, whether that means enhancing diagnostic confidence, optimizing staff resources, or increasing patient throughput.
Next-generation perimetry technology, if positioned and implemented effectively, has the potential to become the new standard in glaucoma management. Success will depend on more than technical innovation. It will require segment-specific messaging that speaks directly to the clinical priorities of ophthalmologists and the operational goals of optometrists, a premium positioning that reinforces quality and trust, and a robust program of clinical validation and long-term customer support.
By combining these elements, PeriVision is positioned to move beyond simply launching a product to leading a market transformation. The future of perimetry lies in delivering technology that is faster, more reliable, more accessible, and fully aligned with the daily realities of modern eye care. For providers ready to embrace this opportunity, the path to adoption is clear, and the demand is already waiting.
