Optometry Wales and the Eye Health Alliance are urging practitioners to engage with their local politicians about issues affecting eye care ahead of the Welsh Assembly Election on May 3.
In its Welsh Assembly Briefing 2007, Optometry Wales and the Alliance encourage professionals to invite party candidates to visit their practice to build awareness of eye health messages, hold public and ROC meetings and ask the candidates questions about bringing change.
Increasing awareness of the availability of NHS tests for children, provision of low vision and domiciliary care and the listing of DOs with local health boards are among the messages the organisations urge practitioners to deliver.
They also advise professionals to get in touch with ABDO, the AOP and FODO following the elections with information on responses from the elected candidates in order to keep in touch and thank them for their support.
The bodies said the profession needed to keep up the pressure on local politicians.