A week of news - no such thing as a free eye test

Last week's issue of Optician includes a strong letter to the Association of Optometrists calling on practices who offer free eye tests to stop claiming back GOS fees from the NHS.

It was described as 'scandalous' that companies offering free sight tests will claim money back from the tax payer in the same breath. The 36 signatories also point out that such promotions devalue the profession, and they may well have a point.

Those who resist loss-leading offers deserve credit for not pretending something is free when it is not, but the distinction is of less concern to patients. Should the AOP take this further it would be interesting to see whether given the choice optical chains went for continued footfall through offers or below-par GOS payments. At the moment, of course, you can have both.