Optrafair 2015: Debating the delivery of eye care

Bringing together leaders from rival multiple chains and independents was always likely to result in some fireworks at this year’s Optrafair.

Passions ran high in a packed-out NEC auditorium as the optical sector quizzed the panel on burning issues including multiple expansion, technology and the future of independents. However, the subject of eye test offers prompted most debate, with Peter Noakes, independent practitioner and MD of Iris Visioncare, accusing multiples of ‘giving away our services for free’.

‘In my world if you give something away for nothing you undermine the value of it,’ he told delegates. ‘If you think your time is worth nothing then don’t work for these people [the multiples]. Work for yourselves and charge a realistic eye examination fee for what you do. If you stand on your own two feet and tell people what you are worth then you will make a very good living and your patients will probably have a much better service.’