The shortage of opticians is no longer a future challenge, but a real capacity problem that large parts of Europe are already experiencing the consequences of. From Scandinavia to Southern Europe, the industry is reporting increasing recruitment challenges, especially in rural areas, but also in urban areas. Combined with an aging population and an increased need for vision care, this is creating pressure on optician businesses that threatens both capacity and quality.

This opens the door to smart use of digital tools without compromising the customer experience. Because ultimately, that’s what it’s all about: ensuring safe and accessible vision care for those who need us.

Bottleneck in the customer journey

The shortage of licensed opticians is primarily felt in the form of longer waiting times and increased workload for existing employees. When fewer opticians have to cover the same or increasing demand, bottlenecks easily arise throughout the customer journey, and not only in the eye examination itself, but also in ordering, information, record keeping, follow-up and sales.

In this situation, it is crucial to use opticians’ time where it provides the most value. This means freeing them from unnecessary administration and ensuring they meet patients well prepared. This is precisely where digital solutions like Medibrix play a key role.

Less time on paperwork means more time for customers

Medibrix is ​​a specially developed digital patient tool for optician chains, and it automates large parts of the manual information flow. Patients easily fill in health information before the appointment, which gives the optician a good basis for decision-making even before the consultation starts. The result is better preparation, more targeted examinations – and a higher quality experience for the patient.

The system also digitizes key parts of record keeping, documentation and dialogue. For the optician, this means less time in front of the screen and more time with the patient. For the chains, it means increased efficiency, better flow and higher capacity without having to hire more employees.

“With a tool like Medibrix, we can now solve many of our tasks in a much shorter time,” says Silje Restad, operative optician and project manager at the Norwegian optician chain Synsam. “We get more precise information before the examination starts, are better prepared for different needs and can better adapt the examination. For the patient, it means better flow, time saved – and that they meet professionals who are prepared for them.”

Digital, but still personal

Optometry is a profession of trust. Customers expect quality, safety and human contact. Digital transformation in the industry must therefore support, not replace, the relationship between optician and patient. When technology works well, the entire process is perceived as more professional, structured and seamless.

The optician gets the time and capacity to be the professional the customer needs. The chains get a better data base to follow up and develop the services. And not least; patients get the help they need, when they need it – even in areas with a shortage of professionals.

Solutions that scale

Medibrix is ​​built to be implemented quickly and on a large scale. Examples show that the solution has solved important challenges for chains such as Synsam, where capacity has been increased fivefold and the cost per examination has been reduced by 50%. Large parts of the examinations are now done externally – without compromising quality.

These are experiences and solutions that are equally relevant for the rest of the European market, where the shortage of opticians in many countries is even greater than in Scandinavia. In this reality, it is not just about getting more professionals – but about using the time and expertise we have smarter.

A step towards a more sustainable optometry practice

The shortage of opticians on our continent will not disappear overnight. Education policies and health-related measures are needed to meet the long-term needs. Fortunately, in the short term, there are solutions that are already making a difference – and that can be implemented now.

Medibrix is ​​one of them. An important tool for a more sustainable, customer-friendly and efficient optometry practice in a pressured industry.

Contact us today and we’ll show you how!

We believe in smarter collaboration, innovative solutions, and technology that creates real value – for both healthcare professionals and patients. Our goal is to build the workflows of the future, so clinics can work more efficiently, reduce stress, and increase revenue.