Eye care services

An increased life expectancy and the rapid growth of the aging population have increased the need for the monitoring and treatment long-term eye diseases, as well as for the rehabilitation of patients with visual impairments. Eye diseases are often associated with other diseases, making their early detection an important part of preventive health care. 

Private eye care facilities – such as optometry practices with ophthalmology clinics, eye hospitals, and ophthalmology clinics within medical centres – are responsible for providing basic eye care services, which include services related to measuring the functioning of the visual system, as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of eye health and the most common eye diseases. 

Specialised eye care in Finland is concentrated in the public health care system. Even now it would be possible to provide the Finnish population with more comprehensive and cost-effective basic vision and eye health services if the nationwide network of optometry practices were integrated more systematically to support the public health care system. 

Over the past decade, optical retailers have evolved into a nationwide network of full-service eye care providers, equipped with all the staff, diagnostic technology, and expertise needed to deliver basic services. It is fully prepared to provide a solution to the eye care challenges facing Finland’s aging population.