Optometrists must adapt to survive, says Specsavers' Professor Harrison Weisinger

Optometrists need to adapt in order to remain relevant in a new technology and primary care-driven landscape, was the stark warning from incoming Specsavers global director of professional services Professor Harrison Weisinger.

‘The UK optical industry is entering the foothills of some very steep mountains that must be climbed over the next five years and beyond,’ said Weisinger, a qualified medical practitioner, optometrist and former head of optometry at Deakin University in Australia.

With hospital budgets driving more primary care to high street practices, Prof Weisinger said there were huge opportunities for the profession to increase its clinical profile, through diagnostic technology developments, but also warned that some new technologies could replace optometrists if they did not keep pace with changes.