Passing the buck back to optometrists in practice seems to be the default option for tough issues but there is an opportunity with driving for optics to show its worth.
Driving and vision (see In Focus) is an issue where there is virtually universal agreement that there are people driving cars on our roads with inadequate eyesight but the professional bodies and regulator have failed to take a stand.
Individuals, companies and organisations are pointing out the problem but tough and decisive action is needed to reach a solution. When the solution means people not dying on our roads then something needs to be said.
This week we have seen court cases involving drivers with poor eyesight killing pedestrians, multiples launch awareness campaigns and the AOP launching its ‘Swerve’ campaign. The GOC was also due to hear its own research outcomes at its quarterly council meeting and consider its position.
The research is unequivocal: 92% of registered professionals agree that public safety would be improved if they were required to notify the DVLA in all circumstances where a patient didn’t meet driving standards. Nearly three-quarters of registrants say they are uncomfortable informing the DVLA if the patient won’t do it themselves.
Swerve’s call for more regular eye tests must be welcomed but this doesn’t get to the heart of the matter if there is no compulsion to report the findings.
Leaving optometrists to ‘use their professional judgement’ is dodging the issue and it is incumbent upon the College, the AOP and the GOC, together or unilaterally, to instruct optometrists to tell the DVLA when a driver has insufficient vision. If that oversteps the law then the bodies should fight it in court.
What better way to show society in general the role optometrists can play in saving lives.