The College of Optometrists

MPs and Peers attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment on Tuesday 18 June 2002 at Portcullis House. The meeting was entitled "What Future for the Eye Examination". Attendees at the meeting were informed about and discussed the importance of the eye examination and the dedicated work of optometrists in the early identification, prevention and treatment of many very debilitating eye illnesses and conditions. Key threats to the NHS eye examination, such as inadequate funding, were also discussed.

MPs and Peers who attended the meeting included: David Heath MP (Chairman of the APPG Group), Lord Jenkin of Roding, Baroness Knight of Collingtree, Rachel Squire MP and Sandra Gidley MP. Speakers at the meeting were Anita Lightstone, Head of Low Vision and Prevention at RNIB, Dr Susan Blakeney, Optometric Adviser for the College of Optometrists and Michael Bateman, Chairman of the Optical Fees Review Committee (OFRC).

Anita Lightstone gave the Group an introduction to the Eye Examination, and also outlined some of the possible threats to the current eye examination, stating "we must ensure that sight tests are always available to all, based on ocular needs not on ability to pay." Dr Susan Blakeney explained to the Group the technicalities of the Eye Examination and gave further details about common eye conditions, stressing that "everybody is entitled to clear, comfortable vision and that the eye examination can detect sight and life-threatening conditions before they are symptomatic." Michael Bateman talked about the economics of the Eye Examination, and called for "recognition, review and reward" of the work of optometrists.

Following the discussion, there was a display of some of the equipment used by optometrists when carrying out an eye examination and MPs and Peers fully utilised the opportunity to try out this equipment. The College and RNIB are grateful for the equipment and support provided for the meeting by Keeler and Optos.

The date of the next meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment will be Tuesday 22 October 2002, and the subject of the meeting will be children's vision screening.