This is probably one of the hardest columns I have had to write in all the years I have been doing this. These are unprecedented times that we all find ourselves in and I would like to begin this month by paying tribute to all who work in the eye care sector. I include in this all our colleagues working in the secondary sector, our ophthalmologist colleagues, our hospital optometrist colleagues and out orthoptics colleagues, many of whom may find themselves providing care in very different ways to which they are used to in the weeks to come.
It has never really been understood just how closely people in our sector work with patients and clients. Ours is an ‘intimate’ sector with close association to people for quite long periods of time and as such presents unique opportunities for cross infection. In a past column I have alluded to the responsibilities of optometrists not going to work if they are unwell given the risk factors of passing illness on to elderly or vulnerable patients. Never in all my wildest dreams did I foresee such an event as we are all now witnessing and the two-way risks posed by coronavirus. My wish is that you all stay safe and practise cautionary preventative systems while, as I know you will, continuing to deliver the best possible care to all your patients.
When we are through this current crisis, I believe we will see a new society emerge, not only in this country but across the world. A society that will have a completely different outlook on life. The way we approach all matters will be seen from a different perspective. People who never thought they would have to will have personally confronted fear on many different fronts and, as such, will understandably change their outlook on life. Things once taken for granted will become precious. One of these will be personal health.
What became evident very early on in the coronavirus outbreak was the ability for optometry in the primary care setting to step up and effectively become a triage service for the secondary care sector. Indeed, many eye departments fell back immediately on their optometry colleagues for that very purpose. Given the fact that routine eye testing immediately became a hazardous risk-laden occupation it was clear that this would have to stop very quickly. But this did not mean the closing down of optometry services. It was recognised immediately by the NHS just how important it would be to maintain frontline primary care optical services for those in need of emergency care and treatment. This is where we are today.
Optometry and our fellow dispensing optician colleagues are now finding themselves placed in the role of, effectively running an emergency frontline eye care service within the primary care sector. That we were in a position to immediately step into this role is a commendation to both professions. Yes, we all knew that this was well within our capabilities. Indeed, we had been telling others within our sector that this was the case for many years. This is not the time or the place to politicise matters but just to be satisfied that we can provide this new role because we are trained, qualified and capable of doing so. To all of you providing this service to the nations, thank you.
But it is important to realise that we will come through this current crisis and we will triumph over this current adversity and so it is relevant to consider where our profession will go in the years ahead. How are our patients coping at the moment? How many of these patients will switch to buying their spectacles or contact lenses or solutions online? How many people will discover online methods to ‘test’ their own eyes? One thing that has become very self-evident is the massive switch by people who are self-isolating to the use of online purchasing methods. What effect will this have on our professions as we move forward? Should we be worried by this? I suspect many at the moment are just worried about keeping their practices afloat. This is all the more reason to look at the way we position ourselves for the fight back after this crisis ends. We have shown that when it comes to delivering medical primary eye care we are there. We are qualified to do so and what is more we delivered when it mattered. Maybe that is the direction we should follow going forward. Now is not the time to decide on this but now is the time to reflect on what the future may hold and consider what our role will be in this new future.
Finally, I would like to thank some of our professional bodies for the very immediate way they have imparted advice and instruction to us all. Personally, in particular the GOC and the College of Optometrists.
To all of you out there, stay safe, stay well and I look forward to brighter times ahead for all of us.