Retail optics is used to getting short shrift from the consumer watchdog and Which?’s latest trip to the opticians offers little cause for celebration (In Focus).
Last week’s report (News 20.10.17) proclaimed nearly half of the eye examinations conducted in the country are not up to scratch with a trip to the opticians resulting in missed eye disease, incorrect refractions and dangerous spectacles.
In the past Optician has hit back at Which? for assessing practices on sales as opposed to eye care. To its credit Which? has chosen the latter for its latest mystery shopping exercise.
While I wouldn’t expect every optical practice in the country to be deemed exemplary Which? paints a picture of incompetence and lack of care. The result is a report which must leave many consumers wondering if going to the optician is worth it.
Despite hiring expert optometrists to design the mystery shop Which? offers little guidance to the public on how to choose the best eye exam, perhaps a glimmer of positivity for independents.
A paltry 30 practices were mystery shopped and the picture painted of retail optics by Which? isn’t one I recognise, but mud sticks. The profession and business has to ensure that when this exercise is repeated, which it inevitably will be, practices pass with flying colours.
All practitioners think they maintain standards but businesses have to back that up with skill refresher regimes, however unpopular it may be with the workforce.
Revalidation was raised by the Law Commission report over three years ago. If negative messages such as this latest report continue to appear it’s only a matter of time before practitioners have yet another administrative hoop to leap through.