Selected problems and challenges of ophthalmic care system in Poland

Abstract

In the perspective of 10–20 years, the ophthalmic care system in Poland will face numerous challenges, and the existing problems will increase. Due to the aging of the population, the incidence of refractive errors and chronic, age-related diseases such as presbyopia, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts will increase. Due to the change in lifestyle, the incidence of myopia is expected to increase among children and adolescents. The number of ophthalmologists and nurses will decrease and the average age of these professional groups will increase. The number of optometrists in Poland is low, and the legal aspects of practicing the profession of optometrists remain unregulated. Low social awareness contributes to late detection of eye diseases, which worsens the prognosis and increases the costs of treatment.