How do you prepare for the future when everything is changing: technology, consumer expectations, even how we define care itself? For Näe ry, the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare, the answer lies in building a shared understanding of what’s coming and how to make informed, strategic choices today.
With the help of the FIBRES foresight platform, Näe ry has launched a new initiative to map out the future of eye health. Their goal: to ensure the optics and eye care sector isn’t just reacting to change but leading it.
The challenge: preparing for change across an entire industry
For professionals in the optical and eye care space, tomorrow brings both opportunity and uncertainty. Advances in diagnostics, evolving consumer behaviors, rising sustainability demands, and shifting healthcare models all raise new questions:
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What kind of eye care will people expect in five or ten years?
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How will technology reshape diagnostics and treatments?
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What business models will be sustainable in a changing market?
Näe ry wanted to bring clarity to these questions and not just for themselves, but for their entire network of member companies. They needed a way to identify weak signals early, monitor trends over time, and make sense of change as it unfolds.
The solution: structured foresight with FIBRES
To support their work, Näe ry adopted FIBRES, a foresight platform with easy-to-use tools designed specifically for building strategic foresight and futures intelligence.
With FIBRES, they’ll be able to gather signals, analyze trends, and explore multiple possible futures in a way that’s collaborative, visual, and grounded in real-world data. “FIBRES gave us a practical way to turn scattered information into structured insight. It helped us bring future thinking into our everyday work”, says Panu Tast, CEO, the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare, Näe ry.
Rather than trying to predict a single future, Näe ry uses FIBRES to explore alternative futures, each shaped by emerging developments, shifting assumptions, and the choices we make today.
Five themes shaping the future of eye health
Näe ry, in collaboration with its members, identified five central themes that are expected to have significant impact on the field:
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Product technology – from smarter lenses to digital tools, innovation continues to accelerate.
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Customer experience – expectations are changing fast, and personalization is key.
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Sustainability and responsibility – environmental and social responsibility are no longer optional.
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Preventive eye care – shifting focus from treatment to prevention and lifestyle.
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Diagnostics and treatment of eye diseases – advanced tech and data are transforming clinical practice.
Each theme is now backed by a growing library of trends, signals, and strategic insights maintained and developed collaboratively using FIBRES.
You can read more about the initiative on Näe ry’s website (Finnish).
The outcome: a future-ready trend map
The result of this work is a dynamic, evolving trend map that gives a clear picture of the forces shaping the future of the optical industry.
Unlike static reports, Näe ry’s trend map is living foresight. It’s regularly updated with new signals and input, and it’s being designed as a concrete decision-support tool for member organizations. “We’re not just collecting trends but we’re creating a shared language and a common direction for the industry”, Panu Tast points out.
This approach allows member companies to spot emerging risks, uncover innovation opportunities, and shape their strategies with more confidence.
Why foresight matters to Näe ry
At its core, Näe ry’s work is about empowering professionals and companies to be proactive—not reactive—in the face of change. As Panu Tast puts it: “You can’t predict the future. But you can shape it. That’s what this work is all about”.
Foresight isn’t about being right. It’s about thinking differently, asking better questions, and acting earlier. And with FIBRES, Näe ry has found a scalable, intuitive way to bring this thinking to life.
Moving forward
Näe ry’s foresight initiative is still growing and it’s already showing how future-oriented thinking can unify and energize an entire sector.
If you’re also navigating complex changes, wondering what trends to trust, or looking for ways to involve others in strategic planning, FIBRES might be the right tool for you too.
Curious how FIBRES could support your foresight work? Let’s talk.
