In Focus: Eye care election plea made

Optical professional bodies made one last call to the next government before the general election on July 4 to transform eye care for patients. The College of Optometrists highlighted that there were 611,000 people on NHS waiting lists to begin treatment for ophthalmology in England. 

This made ophthalmology one of the largest contributors to the backlog but the College said utilising the full skills of optometrists could cut waiting times and reduce preventable sight loss. 

Sarah Cant, director of policy at the College (pictured right), said: ‘It is vital that the next Westminster government implements an England-wide strategy to tackle the waiting times for eye care. By recognising and utilising the full skills of optometrists, and commissioning more eye care services locally, the next government will significantly relieve pressure on NHS hospital eye services and prevent people from needlessly losing their sight.’