Chris Bennett: Let optical practices ease pressure on the NHS

Eye health messages to the public have never been more high profile so it seems apposite that the All Party Parliamentary Group is calling for evidence ahead of an Inquiry into NHS Eye Service capacity.

The tone of the announcement resonates with the jargon of the NHS, with blindness and ophthalmology at its heart. But in today’s world is it realistic to look at secondary eye services without embracing high street optometry?

Vision Express’s CEO, Jonathan Lawson, pointed out in an interview with Optician last week that the optical profession has not been very successful in getting its message across. Taking Vision Seriously is VE’s mantra but if the UK population suddenly did take its vision seriously could high street opticians cope? Probably not, in the short term at least.