VSP Vision Unveils Practice of the Future Report, Highlighting How AI, Emerging Technologies, and New Care Models Are Focused on Eye Care

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. - Today, the VSP^® Global Innovation Center (GIC) released Practice of the Future, a new Futurist Report exploring how emerging technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and new care models are becoming available to eye care providers to meet growing patient demand, improve efficiency, and expand their role within the broader healthcare ecosystem.

"Eye care is at a pivotal moment. As patient needs and preferences continue to grow and technology advances at an unprecedented pace, optometry has an opportunity to expand its impact on overall health," said Senior Manager of VSP Global Innovation Center Programs and Partnerships Will Flanagan. "Leveraging that opportunity takes more than new tools; it takes a new way of thinking about how care and service are delivered within the four walls of a practice."

The interactive report highlights six key areas of the modern eye care practice, examining how each room is evolving to help providers deliver a more connected, elevated patient experience.

Pre-test Room: Reimagining the Practice for Access and Efficiency
To meet growing demand, practices are evolving beyond traditional layouts and workflows. Pre-testing - long confined to a single room - is becoming more flexible, supported by technologies that allow components of the exam to be conducted remotely, in waiting areas, or by non-clinical staff.

Exam Lane: A Shift Toward Whole-Body Health
AI-enabled diagnostics are reinforcing the role of the eye exam, helping providers better identify and document early indicators of broader health concerns, including cardiovascular, kidney, and neurological diseases. These developments confirm optometry's role as an integral part of the healthcare continuum, demonstrating its value beyond vision correction to proactive, whole-body health insights.

Subspecialty Areas: Expanding the Scope of Care
As patient needs evolve, more practices are expanding into areas such as myopia management, audiology, and aesthetics, with 34% of optometrists planning to introduce new care modalities. These specialty services can help practices deliver more comprehensive care while creating new opportunities for growth.

Optical Retail Environment: Retail and Operations Enter a New Era
While more than 80% of eyewear purchases still occur in physical locations, practices are enhancing the in-person experience with AI-powered tools like virtual try-on technologies, and smart eyewear innovations.

Back Office: The Engine Behind the Practice
Investment in AI-enabled technology is accelerating, with key market segments projected to more than double over the next decade. AI-enabled practice management tools, like Eyefinity, help practices streamline scheduling, billing, staffing, and other operational workflows, reducing administrative burden and improving efficiency at a time when 54% of optometrists report symptoms of burnout.

At Home: Care Follows the Patient Out the Door.
Remote monitoring, at-home diagnostics, and digital shopping tools are extending care beyond the office. In the Practice of the Future, the relationship continues beyond the visit creating ongoing engagement, better outcomes, and new models of care delivery.

"While technology is transforming eye care, the provider remains at the heart of the patient experience," said VSP Vision Chief Provider Solutions Officer Michelle Skinner. "With approximately 20 million more eye exams needed annually than a decade ago, innovation can help practices meet growing demand while giving doctors more time and resources to deliver high-quality, personalized care."

Practice of the Future builds on VSP Vision's broader Futurist Report series and underscores its commitment to advancing access, innovation, and patient-centered care. Through the Global Innovation Center, VSP collaborates with startups and innovators to identify, test, and scale solutions that expand access to care and help shape the future of eye health. To learn more about the VSP Global Innovation Center and to access the entire Futurist Report series, visit vspvision.com/innovation.

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About VSP Vision
At VSP Vision^™, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For 70 years, VSP^® has been a leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses across vision benefits, eye care services, eyewear solutions, and practice solutions, work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for millions of members through a network of more than 44,000 doctors. It also means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster through VSP Eyes of Hope. To date, more than 4.5 million people in need have received access to no-cost eye care and eyewear through one of our Eyes of Hope programs. Learn more about how we're reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspvision.com.