Global eye care workforce 2023 estimates released
A study by Resnikoff et al. collected workforce data for ophthalmologists from 156 countries and optometrists from 166 countries between December 2022 and January 2025, providing a comprehensive 2023 global estimate of the eye care workforce.
Key Findings:
- Data from 156 countries identified 263,016 ophthalmologists; adding estimates for 38 countries yielded a global total of 275,551, a 20% increase since 2015, with a global density of 34 per million.
- The global optometrist workforce was estimated at 306,711 with a density of 39 per million; the income gap was more pronounced, ranging from 150 to 4 per million.
- An estimated 612,000 allied ophthalmic personnel were recorded across 90 countries.
Reference: Resnikoff S, Block SS, Chai S, et al. The global eye care workforce: 2023 estimates across ophthalmologists, optometrists, and allied personnel. AJO International. 2026;3:100260.
