Simon Jones: The year that was

Looking back through the past 12 months’ worth of Optician issues, it was noticeable how calm 2022 was for optical news – at least compared to the turbulence of 2020 and 2021. Instead, it was the rest of the world that lost its head in 2022, but optics should be careful it doesn’t become collateral damage.

The war in Ukraine has been a factor in supply chain issues, soaring costs of living could impact eye health and political instability at home may well see industry calls for improved utilisation of optometry services on the back burner.

There are parts of the industry that face a tricky 2023. Contact lens producers will have to work harder to improve supply times, because practices cannot take much more before pulling out of contact lens provision altogether. Online retailers may have the volume that manufacturers crave, but it’s optical practices that are still the gateway for patients, so mistreat them at your peril.