Moneo writes: Who decided two years was the right interval for testing?

In the last newsletter published by the College of Optometrists there is an article relating to evidence-based practice. As a practicing optometrist I agree with the sentiments that it is essential to use evidence-based methods when both assessing a patient and discussing their symptoms and my findings.

However, this immediately brings to the surface a question I am asked time and time again by patients that, to date I cannot find any reasonable evidence on which to base a coherent evidence-based response. That question is, why is two years cited as the normal time interval between sight tests? So many people, especially those between 60 and 70 years of age request a sight test at a more frequent interval, normally one year. Of course there is no reason why they cannot have a sight test every year if they choose to but if they make that choice they then remove themselves completely from the NHS system as the NHS will only pay for a test for them if it has been two years or more since their last sight test. As we all know this makes a complete mockery of the Department of Health’s assertion that NHS services are free at the point of need but that situation is for another day.