In Focus: Pandemic perspectives from the optical frontline

Eye care professionals have reported they worked over their contracted hours during the pandemic and struggled to provide patients with the sufficient level of care they needed.

Practitioners shared their views of working during Covid-19 in an online survey carried out by an independent research company, which was commissioned by the General Optical Council (GOC).

A total of 4,880 registrants responded to Enventure Research’s survey, which was a one percentage point increase compared to its survey in 2016 and represented a 17% response rate.

Of the respondents, 56% were optometrists, 25% were
dispensing opticians (DOs) and 21% were students.

The GOC asked practitioners about a range of topics including perceptions of the regulator, standards of practice and guidance, as well as delivering care during Covid-19.