Sight testing and the role of optometry

The optical services market has been altered substantially by government legislation over the past six years. Further deregulation has been proposed which would alter the content and structure of the eye test, resulting in a two-tier test. This would split the refractive sight test, aimed at establishing the need for optical appliances, from the eye examination, aimed at detecting signs of abnormality and eye disease. In order to explore the potential consequences of such action, the current role of the optometrist in sight-testing is examined, with particular reference to two serious eye diseases, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. The potential effects of deregulation on both resource use and quality of life are considered in relation to these disorders, and the important role of the optometrist in both the detection of (often asymptomatic) eye disease and also in monitoring disease at the post-diagnostic stage is examined. The report concludes that legislation which alters the structure and content of the sight test would have potentially detrimental effects on both resource use in the health care sector and quality of life for patients.