High street practitioners are well-equipped to free up overburdened hospitals with long waiting lists for patients with eye conditions including cataract, glaucoma, diabetes-related problems and macular degeneration.
However, a lack of referral pathway is preventing GPs from using this alternative service, according to a letter by optometrist Dr James Gilchrist published in the British Medical Journal.
‘At least three factors prevent GPs from referring patients to optometrists: poor awareness of optometrists’ expertise, no referral pathway, and concern that patients may be encouraged to purchase expensive spectacles,’ the letter said.
Dr Gilchrist, senior lecturer in optometry and vision science at the University of Bradford, said there was poor awareness of the expertise optometrists and dispensing opticians have.
‘We must stop saying optician when we mean optometrist.’
A response to the letter by LOCSU managing director Katrina Venerus said a number of CCGs in England had implemented national pathways developed by the unit. ‘Sadly, primary eye care is not regarded as a high priority by all CCGs and the rate at which the pathways and services are being commissioned by CCGs is the main issue,’ she added.
Also this week, GOC chief executive and registrar Samantha Peters commented on the findings of its commissioned report into public perceptions of the optical professions. The report had found a low awareness of the role ECPs can play in the detection of eye health problems.
Peters said: ‘This report provides much food for thought for both us and the optical sector more generally, particularly about the need to raise awareness of the roles that optometrists and dispensing opticians can play in improving the UK’s eye health.
‘With only around a third of people associating opticians with detecting eye health problems, and less than one in five saying they would turn first to their optician with an acute eye problem, there is clearly a need for the professions to collectively promote the roles of opticians.’