Verum writes: The relationship between optometry and ophthalmology

Despite optometry seeking to improve the relationship with ophthalmology, we continually see evidence that all is not well. Readers will remember a recent letter in The Times from a consultant ophthalmologist critical of optometric referrals; ‘NHS hospital eye clinics are inundated with referrals from the optometry practices of patients because they are not seeing the doctors in the first place.’ This negative view of optometry is not a one-off, as we now have comments on the BMJ website from consultant ophthalmologist Mr M Clarke, who also believes there are too many unnecessary referrals. As an aside, the low profile of optometry in medical circles is illustrated when registering on the BMJ website, where optometry is not offered as an occupation choice within a long list of healthcare professions.