Well-intended eye care proposals fall short

Plans to expand primary eye care in Wales and deliver services closer to home for more patients have been welcomed by the optical profession.  

Proposals would expand optometrists’ high street eye care services by enabling them to deliver additional services under separate arrangements.  

It meant that, in addition to sight tests, optometrists will provide eye examinations to patients with an eye problem that required urgent attention or those at higher risk of eye disease.  

The NHS sight test would include prevention and health and wellbeing advice, patient self-care, and the development of an individual patient management plan. 

On June 19, a public consultation closed on proposed reforms that were developed in 2022 by Optometry Wales on behalf of the sector with the Welsh Government and NHS Wales.