Features

In the final article on research by the College of Optometrists and Optician, Alison Ewbank examines consumer attitudes to optometrists extending their role into new areas of responsibility, including therapeutic prescribing.

Despite the profession’s attempts to promote its healthcare role, consumers’ main motivation in visiting an optical practice is to have their sight tested. Although one in four say they go to their optician to have the health of their eyes checked, changes in eyesight are still the key market driver.

On the positive side, the importance of regular eye tests is recognised and there remains a strong association between eye examinations and spectacle dispensing. Almost all consumers believe they should have an eye test every two years or less and almost all spectacle wearers have an eye test when they buy glasses.

So will the public accept an extended role for optometrists and in future be prepared to consult them for eye treatment?
From the end of next month, all optometrists will be able to prescribe and supply an expanded list of ocular drugs and others will undertake extra training to specialise in therapeutics. Some may want to take on new responsibilities, such as carrying out minor procedures in their practices or even move into laser eye surgery if the opportunity arose.

The results of research carried out by NOP on behalf of the College of Optometrists and optician provide some insight into consumer attitudes to these developments.

WHERE DO CONSUMERS GO FOR EYE TREATMENT?
We questioned our sample about who they would consult with an eye problem, whether minor or more serious. Only one in 10 consumers would currently consult an optometrist if they had a minor complaint such as conjunctivitis (Figure 1). At present, more than seven out of 10 (73 per cent) are most likely to consult their GP. These results may, however, be influenced by the belief that they would have to pay for eye treatment if they went to their optician.

Nine per cent of consumers would ask their pharmacist for advice on a minor complaint, a similar proportion to those who would visit their optician. Two per cent would present at the accident and emergency department of their local hospital and only 1 per cent would contact the helpline NHS Direct.

This question produced some interesting gender differences. With a minor eye problem, men are more likely than women to consult an optician (14 per cent vs 7 per cent) and less likely to consult a pharmacist (7 per cent vs 12 per cent) or doctor (68 per cent vs 77 per cent). Men have been shown to pay fewer visits to their GP than women.

Perhaps surprisingly, a higher proportion of consumers (17 per cent) would visit their optician if they suspected they had an eye complaint such as cataracts (Figure 2). This may be because they are aware that cataract affects their vision and may be helped in the early stages by a change of spectacles. But the GP would still be the first port of call, by a wide margin. No one would consult a pharmacist in these circumstances and one in 20 say they would visit an eye surgeon. 
 
WHERE WOULD THEY GO IN FUTURE?
When asked what services they would like opticians to provide in future, the results are more encouraging for the profession (Figure 3). Nearly half (44 per cent) said they would like opticians to prescribe drugs to treat minor eye complaints such as conjunctivitis and around one in four (26 per cent) said they would like opticians to prescribe for more serious eye conditions such as glaucoma.

Similar proportions were in favour of optometrists carrying out laser surgery to correct vision (27 per cent) or minor procedures such as removing in-growing lashes (26 per cent). But a substantial proportion of consumers either did not want optometrists to extend their services into any of these areas (27 per cent) or said they did not know (15 per cent).

Men were more in favour of optometrists expanding their role than women and there were differences in attitude between age groups (Figure 4). There was more support for optometrists treating minor eye complaints among those aged 35-64 than among other age groups and four in 10 of the over-65s did not want the profession to extend its services at all. In contrast, a surprisingly high proportion of the 15-24 age group (35 per cent) would like optometrists to carry out laser eye surgery to correct vision.

These results suggest that older patients may retain greater respect for the medical profession and would prefer to seek advice from their GP than from other health professionals. Previous surveys have shown that GPs themselves strongly support optometrists treating eye disease. A survey for optician in 2002 found that a large majority of GPs (88 per cent) believed that, in principle, UK optometrists could use ocular therapeutic drugs, and almost all supported the move provided that suitable training were given.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Overall, our research suggests that the British public are comfortable, and satisfied, with the profession’s current role, but may take some persuading before they routinely consult optometrists for eye treatment. Pharmacists have recently run a campaign to encourage consumers to seek their advice on health issues. A similar campaign to raise awareness of the role of optometrists in healthcare and their move into eye treatment would be timely.

In the final question of the survey, consumers were asked whether they were aware that opticians who examined the eyes and tested sight for glasses or contact lenses were sometimes known by another name. Fewer than one in five (18 per cent) spontaneously mentioned ‘optometrist’, suggesting that the profession also needs to work harder to make this name known.

Looking at the wider picture, the research has provided useful insight into current habits and attitudes to eye care and eyewear (see table). In future years it will be interesting to monitor changes in opinion as new supply routes are established and the profession takes on new responsibilities.

The survey of consumer habits and attitudes to eye care was conducted by market research company NOP from March 17-22. NOP carried out 921 face-to-face interviews with consumers aged 15+ years at random locations around Britain. The sample was designed to be representative of all adults in Britain and was weighted to bring it into line with national population profiles. For the purposes of the survey, consumer terminology such as ‘optician’ and ‘eye test’ was used.

SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

• Two-thirds of respondents wear vision correction
• 12 per cent have never had their eyes tested. The reasons given are ‘no need’, ‘never had
  a problem’ and ‘I have good/perfect eyesight’
• Two-thirds have their eyes tested at least every two years
• There is a high level of satisfaction with most aspects of visiting an optician
• 95 per cent had an eye test when they last purchased glasses
• Only 5 per cent have ready-reading glasses
• More than nine in 10 bought their last glasses from an optician
• Only 2 per cent of contact lens wearers bought their last pair via the internet
• Nearly three-quarters would visit their doctor with an eye complaint.10 per cent would consult an optician if the complaint were minor, such as conjunctivitis, and 17 per cent if they suspected they had cataracts
• Nearly half would like opticians to prescribe drugs to treat minor eye complaints
• Fewer than one in five know what an optometrist is
  
  

Providing exclusive eye care news, information and educational needs every week, including a FREE CET programme. Subscribe to Optician Print Edition.