Role of OOs is unclear

Research by the College of Optometrists and optician suggests that the British public may take some persuading before they routinely consult an optometrist for eye treatment.
Although from June 30, optometrists will be able to prescribe and supply an extended list of ocular therapeutic drugs, only one in 10 consumers would currently consult an optometrist if they had a minor eye problem such as conjunctivitis. However, a higher proportion (17 per cent) would visit their optician if they suspected they had an eye complaint such as cataract.
The survey of consumer habits and attitudes to eye care was conducted by market research firm NOP last month (News, April 15). NOP carried out 921 face-to-face interviews with consumers aged 15+ years, at random locations around Britain.
At present, more than seven out of 10 consumers are most likely to consult their GP if they have a problem with the health of their eyes, whether minor or more serious. Nine per cent of consumers would ask their pharmacist for advice on a minor complaint, a similar proportion to those who would visit their optician. Two per cent would present at the accident and emergency department of their local hospital and only 1 per cent would contact the helpline NHS Direct.
Consumers' main motivation in going to their optician remains 'to have my sight tested'; 84 per cent said this was the reason they usually went, compared to only 25 per cent who went 'to have the health of my eyes checked'.
When asked what services they would like opticians to provide in future, the results are more encouraging for the profession. Nearly half (44 per cent) said they would like opticians to prescribe drugs to treat minor eye complaints such as conjunctivitis and around one in four (26 per cent) said they would like opticians to prescribe for more serious eye conditions such as glaucoma.
Similar proportions were in favour of optometrists carrying out laser surgery to correct vision (27 per cent) or minor surgery such as removing in-growing lashes (26 per cent). Men were more in favour of optometrists expanding their role than women. But a substantial proportion of consumers either did not want optometrists to extend their services into any of these areas (26 per cent) or said they did not know (15 per cent).
For research purposes, the term 'optician' was used. Consumers were asked at the end of the survey whether they were aware that opticians who examined the eyes and tested sight for glasses or contact lenses were sometimes known by another name. Fewer than one in five knew the name 'optometrist'.
Comments from the College of Optometrists, the full results of the survey and more news about consumer attitudes to optometrists extending their professional role will be published in future issues of optician.