HBI ophthalmology webinar takeaways: how patients are driving the future of ophthalmology
Earlier this week, I had the chance to moderate a webinar on ophthalmology.
I was joined by Ana Neves, Head of Global Strategic Marketing at ZEISS, the German manufacturer of optical systems and optoelectronics; Dr Volker Wendel, Founder and CEO of Sanoptis, Europe’s second-largest ophthalmology services provider; Rens Schoenmakers, CEO of FYEO, the largest eye care chain in the Netherlands; and Paul Tomasic, Head of European Healthcare at the investment bank Houlihan Lokey.
Patients are now shaping the sector, as our panelists highlighted. They are behaving more like informed consumers: they are more engaged and increasingly expect higher-quality outcomes.
Patient expectations are rising fast, and the industry has to keep up. Any provider, manufacturer, or investor that fails to adapt is going to be left behind.
Technology is already changing the way care is delivered. AI is helping with diagnostics and workflows, giving doctors more time to focus on patients. In cataract surgery, advanced lenses are allowing people to live without glasses, while AI and digital tools help spot problems earlier, reduce errors, and improve the overall experience.
Public health systems are outsourcing more services, private-pay options are growing quickly, especially for procedures like refractive surgery, and tele-ophthalmology and digital health tools are becoming the new way for patients to get care faster.
Looking ahead, the panel highlighted that the biggest opportunities are in presbyopia and retinal care. Remote monitoring, robotics, and data-driven personalised care will soon be standard.
Investment is following these trends. Capital is going into technology-driven platforms with clear growth, especially in premium refractive surgery, AMD, glaucoma, and integrated clinic-manufacturer models. Vertical integration makes sense when it simplifies care and improves outcomes.
Valuations reflect this shift. Businesses that combine technology, patient focus, and organic growth are getting premium prices, and consolidation across countries and along the value chain is speeding up.
Overall, innovation, business models, and investment decisions are now being shaped by what patients want. This change isn’t going away, and the people who notice it early are the ones who will benefit most.
Click here to watch the webinar.
We would welcome your thoughts on this story. Email your views to Rakshitha Narasimhan or call 0207 183 3779.
