RNIB reinforces use of Primary Care to reduce sight loss in Nation

RNIB report calling for increased use of primary care optometry to protect the nation’s sight a ‘timely reminder’ for Government to act now, says AOP 

Charity’s six solutions to create over £1bn NHS savings backs up findings that have shown the health and economic benefits of investing in primary eye care  

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) has welcomed a new report by leading sight loss charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) which outlines recommendations to improve eye care services in England, helping to reduce avoidable sight loss.  

AOP Chief Executive, Adam Sampson said: “The RNIB’s report is yet more evidence of what is plain to see: utilising the specialist skills of optometrists on the High Street to deliver eye care services is the right solution for the NHS and for the public.  

“The recommendations set out in this report are a timely reminder of the unique opportunity for the Government; our sector is ready to take the simple, practical steps that can significantly improve NHS efficiency, deliver impactful cost savings, and most importantly, provide life-changing healthcare for patients who need eye care. 

“It is interesting to see RNIB’s direction of travel around single points of access – and we are pleased that the Community Ophthalmic Link in Gloucestershire is used as a best practice example for streamlining referrals.” 

“Our own co-commissioned PA Consulting report, along with the reports from Healthwatch, confirm that optometrists are already delivering excellent services and are well-positioned to do more. With over 7,000 High Street optical practices across the UK, this network can play a key role in reducing hospital backlogs and improving patient outcomes. 

“However, this shift depends on a properly resourced primary care system. It’s essential that community optometry, alongside pharmacy, dentistry and general practice, is fully integrated into the Government’s 10-Year Plan for Health – to cut hospital waits and ensure high quality, timely and local access to expert care.” 

The RNIB’s latest report, The Value of Vision: Six Interventions to Improve Eye Care – produced with analysis from PA Consulting – highlights solutions to address the critical capacity and cost pressures facing secondary eye care. It proposes measures to cut treatment delays and waiting lists by better utilising services in primary eye care. 

The report demonstrates the value of leveraging the skills of optometrists in community settings and recommends a key intervention to “Fully use the skillset of optometrists in primary care”. It also points to the cost-saving potential of NHS email access for primary eye care staff – a single action that could save the NHS up to £20 million annually. 

The AOP continues to advocate for systemic reforms that recognise and fully utilise the clinical expertise of optometrists in primary care to address urgent pressures across the NHS.