Celebrating the role opticians play in helping people access eyecare globally

Celebrating the work of the optometry profession and highlighting the important role that optometrists play in increasing access to eye care has been a key focus of World Optometry Week which took place between 17–23 March. Organised by the World Council of Optometry (WCO), the campaign was themed: Advancing optometry’s commitment to global eye care and aimed to bring attention to the topics of equitable access to eye care and the promotion of integrated people-centred eye care. In this article, Lesley Cree Opticians, Director, Ben Cree expresses his views on the campaign.

The ethos at Lesley Cree Opticians has always been to encourage everyone to have an eye test at least every two years, even if they don’t currently think they need glasses. This is because the technology used to inspect the eye and its nerve supply also has the capacity to detect other health conditions in their early stages enabling early diagnosis and treatment.

The ability to do this does however depend on the availability, training, and experience of the optician and underlines the need for continued professional development is vital if the goals of campaign are to be achieved.

Globally the access to eyecare is accredited with the increasing diagnosis and treatment of conditions that left untreated previously became life threatening. So it is with pride that we celebrate World Optometry week.

Ensuring that the voice of optometry professionals has a voice at the table when health concerns are debated at world level is key. More importantly, industry bodies and the general public need to know what optometry is capable of delivering. Because, if we are considered at the primary eye care level not only can we help to reduce the pressure on NHS eye hospitals by diagnosing and treating conditions locally within the patients opticians practice, we can offer a more mobile and personalised approach in the way we deliver care.

In 2021, the World Health Assembly adopted two new eye health targets for 2030 in order to address two of the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment; cataracts and refractive error – a condition that means the natural shape of your eyes changes and makes your vision blurry.

The goal is a 40% increase in effective coverage of refractive error and a 30% increase in effective coverage of cataract surgery by 2030. To achieve this, healthcare providers need to think collaboratively about the varied options that will deliver care to meet these targets.

And who better to address these issues than optometrists who will in most cases know the patient in a more personal level and therefore best placed to support them access treatment and explain other risks that may apply such as glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

Whilst this will require the training and deployment of optometrists across the globe, the benefits will be improved access for patients, cost-savings, and the ability for ophthalmologists to work as part of the delivery of health to patients.

A team approach can help ensure the patient is well cared for, has the knowledge they need to make the right decisions, access to the right resources, and that they know where to go if they have a challenge.

If we take the example of a patient with diabetes, we all know that diabetes touches so many different systems and therefore optometrists shouldn’t be working in isolation. We should remind the patient: book a dental visit, get your feet checked, get your sugar levels checked, see your physician, and make sure you have a dilated eye exam.

Our belief is that we are part of your overall healthcare team and we strive to work for the quality of life that you as our patient sitting in the examination chair deserve from a us as we deliver our service with empathy and compassion.