12 May 2020

Easing of lockdown in England - optometrists to continue to deliver essential and urgent eye care

An update from ABDO and the College of Optometrists following the Governments' announcement on the easing of lockdown.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday evening, ABDO and the College of Optometrists confirm that the current clinical advice to deliver only essential/urgent/emergency eyecare remains in place, and optometrists should continue to utilise remote consultations to provide support to the public in the first instance. Routine sight tests remain suspended until further notice. We request that all practitioners continue to adhere to their relevant national government’s guidance on the provision of eyecare services.
 
The College of Optometrists is currently working with representatives from the Northern Ireland, Scottish and Welsh governments, and NHS England to develop risk-stratified clinical guidance to support practitioners providing eye care during the recovery period. We are also working with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists to establish guidance for managing patients in primary and secondary care during the recovery phase, and beyond.

This article was correct at time of publication. 

Related further reading

How can health coaching improve patient outcomes and strengthen the patient-practitioner relationship? Sophie Goodchild explores the benefits and challenges of personalising care and empowering your patients.

The College’s Clinical Adviser on her award-winning work at Amersham Hospital.

Adrian O’Dowd investigates whether genetic nurture plays a significant role in childhood development of myopia alongside a person’s built-in genetics.