Optometry facing PR battle

Patients are being put off booking appointments with the optometrist for fear of being sold expensive optical products, suggested early findings of a study in Leeds.

Professor Darren Shickle of University of Leeds' School of Medicine has been leading research into the perception of optometrists by the public.

Speaking at last week's National Optometric Conference, Professor Shickle said: 'You [optometry] have got a PR problem in the way people see optometrists. There's a perception that you just focus on the money.'

The research, due to be released early next year, was prompted by a low-uptake of NHS-funded eye examinations in the Leeds area and was conducted through focus groups.