Many members have asked me over recent months whether they will ever need to go back to basics and increase their use of handheld instruments following the pandemic, be that the direct ophthalmoscope, the retinoscope, indirect lenses or trial frames. Of course, we have had to adapt our practice throughout the pandemic and utilise technology and newer investigative techniques. So how is this going to impact on the role of handheld optometric and ophthalmic instruments in the future?