Omen writes

Progress?
I was heartened to read the letter from David Cartwright, president of the College of Optometrists (February 10), in response to my January column. In assuring him that I do indeed fully understand the role of the College and that I do keep my ear firmly to the ground, I would suggest that we have both expressed the same sentiments albeit in slightly different terms. And, without wishing to appear sycophantic, the College is to be congratulated on its initiative in proposing a new three-tier approach to primary eye care.

The last fortnight has seen a significant increase in the pace of the campaign to influence both Parliament and the Department of Health. There is always benefit to be gained from support from outside the profession and the RNIB's recently launched 'Open Your Eyes' campaign is a good example, linking, as it does the aims of the Vision 2020 campaign to end preventable sight loss worldwide to the provision of a comprehensive primary eye care service in the UK, a programme which the UK government as a member of the World Health Organisation has signed up to.

The publication of the Bosanquet report Developing a New Partnership Contract for Community Eye Care in England is another significant development. While there may be little in the document that has not been said before, the report carries the weight of an author who is a special adviser to the Commons Health Select Committee. It was this committee that heard evidence from the Association of Optometrists and the College and was apparently sympathetic to their arguments.

Their reception was rather better than that given to representatives of the dental profession. Unlike dentistry and other healthcare professions, there is no National Framework to underpin the development of eye care services. Government white papers rarely mention visual standards, the latest offering Our Health, Our Care, Our Say being a good example. Extolling exactly the benefits that the optical sector has been offering for years, there is scant mention of the role that optometry can play.

The dentists may not be popular, but they have achieved much more than the optical professions by their uncompromising attitude, maybe the world of optics should follow their example.

Action Man
The publication of the 2006 Mintel report on consumer attitudes to opticians will no doubt provide essential bed-time reading for many in optics. The message is subtly different from previous reports, with bad news for supermarkets and the ever-vulnerable middle market. The promise of a reduction in the number of outlets has long been forecast, but never seems to materialise. Will 2006 be the year when it happens and brings some sense to the market? The strong position of independents, providing high quality and innovative services, is emphasised. Clearly it pays to stand out from the crowd.

This view is in stark contrast to that expressed by Howard Librae, managing director of frame distributor Brulimar Optical Group, in an advertorial (February 17) which seems to espouse a pile 'em high sell 'em cheap, loss leader approach to frame sales. Apart from publishing the wholesale price of his frames, he spoils a series of quality and service-based statements by suggesting that they can be achieved by trying to beat the chains at their own game.

If independents are to survive they cannot afford to try to emulate the big boys, they have to make a virtue of their independence.