Tuesday 18th June 2024

A DO's desk

In the United Kingdom, we are very privileged to have great eyecare support systems. As discussed in the Optical Characters blog, we have great skill set and their work is highly encouraged as well as protected by few governing organisations such as the General Optical Council, College of Optometrists, Association of British Dispensing Opticians, and the NHS.
So, you are among an incredible set of amazing infrastructure. From schools at a very early stage, eye screening is conducted, and teachers are trained to spot when a child's vision needs to be tested and they will instruct the parents to do so.
One thing to remember is, having an eye test has nothing to do with needing to buy glasses. Every two years an adult who does not have any other underlying health conditions should have an eye test. NHS funded eye tests are available and you will find more information here: Free NHS eye tests and optical vouchers - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Even for those who do not qualify, it is imperative to set some time and money to have an eye-test. It is important to remember that through an eye test several other conditions can be spotted much earlier. In my years of Practice, I have witnessed an 18 year old, whose brain tumour was diagnosed as a result of the eye test.
No excuses to not have an eye test every two years. Some will require much sooner visits if they have any conditions that need monitoring such as diabetes which is not being monitored at the hospital.
Optometrists, Contact lens Opticians, and Dispensing Opticians comprise of the Optical Team in any UK Optical practice. They go through one of the toughest qualifications in the world and we must be able to make use of this