View from FODO: This new guidance moves us forward

Today sees a breakthrough in eye care with the publication of the first multi-professional guidance for providers of eye services and clinical teams. This has been developed by multi-professional experts. Although it specifically applies to refractive surgery what is really important are the principles of joint-working, modernisation and an unrelenting focus on the patient.

Public need for eye health services is growing rapidly, linked to the welcome advances in longevity and technology, as the Foresight Report clearly set out.

Ophthalmology, optometry and optics all need to change rapidly to meet this need. If they do not, we are going to see even more people losing their sight unnecessarily for want of treatment. We all understand the constraints in the traditional hospital sector but, fortunately, these constraints do not apply in the community where ophthalmology, optometry and optics can respond far more quickly to changing local and national demands.