Our representatives are failing practitioners

It seems that some of the highest in the land are convinced that optics is still just about ripping off the public (Optician 19.02.16 Editor’s Comment). Indeed the opinion expressed in the House of Lords is that most people do not even have to have an eye examination!

Why aren’t our legions of optical ‘representatives’ falling over each other to prove them wrong? How difficult would it be to ask a number of optometrists to track how many referrals they make over a period of time. Recording type, urgency and outcomes. Extrapolate the results nationally. Demonstrate beyond doubt that optometry is the first line of defence for the nation’s vision. Show how many people would have faced blindness without our input. Has any optical organisation performed this simple task?