Millions of appointments for common eye conditions placing ‘unnecessary demands’ on GPs
New data shows a third of the public visit their GP for eye-related issues before their optician
An optometrist in Suffolk says better education and sign-posting will help people choose the correct medical practitioner for their needs and concerns.
It's as new data from the Association of Optometrists shows many people suffering from eye-related conditions are turning to GPs, not eye experts, for care, with three-quarters of high street optometrists (75%) saying they've seen a patient in the last six months who had initially approached a GP.
Additionally, the AOP's public poll shows this has been going on for a while, with over a third (32%) of people who have experienced an eye condition in the last five years, admitting to having approached their GP first.
The poll also revealed that younger people are far more likely to visit their GP with eye complaints.
Optometrists say this is putting avoidable pressure on struggling GP services, and in extreme cases even putting patients’ vision at risk.
Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists says the current system is “failing patients” and making unnecessary demands on a GP service “already on its knees.”
He also stressed that GPs are not eye experts and and has concern that eye related conditions could worsen if not seen to by the appropriate medical professional.
Dr Peter Hampson, Optometrist and Clinical Director at the AOP, highlighted the skills and expertise of optometrists but underlined they need "political vision" to ensure "primary care optometry is utilised."
He argued this would allow patients to access "timely" and "high- quality "eye care in their community.
Peter McElduff is an Optometrist in Hadley.
He told us he would love to see more people using their services, welcoming the challenge of the high demand he is expecting once people return to using eye care professionals.
To ensure this is able to happen, he wants to see more sign-posting and education so the public knows what specialist to go to for their medical needs.
He would also like to see more done to help the medical field as the "Integrated Care Board are pressed on funding."
Finally, Peter told us he'd like the Minor Eye Condition Service (MECS) to be part of a national contract that is "not reliant on different commissioning bodies."
MECS provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye or eye lid problems.
According to the NHS MECS covers...
- Sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes
- Red eye(s) or eyelids
- Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, around the eye area or temples
- Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes (appears like a fly, black specks or a cobweb moving across your vision)
- Mild trauma, for example, a scratch to the outer surface of the eye(s) or lid(s)
- Suspected foreign body in the eye
- Recent onset of double vision
- Significant recent discharge from or watering of the eye