Looking back through the past 12 months’ worth of Optician issues, it was noticeable how calm 2022 was for optical news – at least compared to the turbulence of 2020 and 2021. Instead, it was the rest of the world that lost its head in 2022, but optics should be careful it doesn’t become collateral damage.
The war in Ukraine has been a factor in supply chain issues, soaring costs of living could impact eye health and political instability at home may well see industry calls for improved utilisation of optometry services on the back burner.
There are parts of the industry that face a tricky 2023. Contact lens producers will have to work harder to improve supply times, because practices cannot take much more before pulling out of contact lens provision altogether. Online retailers may have the volume that manufacturers crave, but it’s optical practices that are still the gateway for patients, so mistreat them at your peril.
On a more positive note, I feel 2023 will be a year of great advancement for sustainability in optics. Optician is planning to significantly ramp up its activity with new education in the burgeoning segment, but the likes of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and Optical Suppliers’ Association are already blazing a trail and should be applauded for doing so.
The General Optical Council’s continued work on potential amendments to the Opticians Act is what I’m most looking forward to. It may be two, three or even four years before we see change, but 2023 will be the year in which we start to see how things play out. Some stand to gain and others to lose, but adapting to whatever comes next will be key.
As the year draws to a close, on behalf of Optician’s editorial, commercial, subscription and production teams, we would like to express Optician’s gratitude to its contributors, advertisers, and readers for their support in 2022. Season’s greetings to all.