RESEARCH REVEALS SCOTS ARE MISSING OUT ON VITAL EYE CARE
Recent research commissioned by optometrists Black & Lizars has suggested that the majority of Scots are not aware of the Scottish Executives move to provide free eye care to all Scots.
The groundbreaking agreement between Optometry Scotland and the Scottish Executive is the most comprehensive eye care policy yet, and should make a significant contribution to eliminating avoidable blindness. However, independent research found that 66% of the population were unaware that the NHS now covers the cost of eye examinations for everyone. The cost previously was about £25 per 15-20 minute examination, designed to provide optical prescriptions. The new examination is designed to improve the discovery, diagnosis, monitoring, and referral of people with eye problems by their community optometrist.
With more than two thirds of Scotlands population requiring some form of eye care, be it diagnosis and monitoring of eye health problems, glasses or contact lenses, it seems that the Executives initiative, which covers the cost of both the basic and more in-depth eye examinations has been overlooked by the public and has not attracted the publicity it merits.
This research indicates that the Scottish Executive and optometrists still have work to do promoting this major health drive to the Scottish public, which coincidentally was announced on the same day as the much acclaimed smoking ban. Smoking cessation has taken priority, which is good for eyes too, but more needs to be done to make Scots aware of the increased range of eye care available from their optometrist.
The new eye examination can spot the early signs of many diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration and even brain tumours. says Hal Rollason, director of Black & Lizars and former Chairman of Optometry Scotland, the body responsible for working with the Scottish Executive to bring forward this legislation.
Mr. Rollason has worked for Black & Lizars for over 25 years and is based at their practice in Shettleston, Glasgow. He continues: Black & Lizars has always operated on our founding principles of excellent clinical care, service, quality and value for our patients. For this reason we welcomed the Executives commitment to providing free comprehensive eye examinations for all.
However, after nearly a year, we at Black & Lizars have only witnessed a modest increase in patients taking up this valuable benefit (5%-9%), a fact which clearly endorses the results of the research .
Mr. Rollason says, Most patients seem to be unaware of this initiative until their optometrist informs them at the time of an eye examination. Black & Lizars has been determined that patients should benefit from the scheme and we are undertaking a pro-active awareness-raising campaign, including direct contact with all patients and a wide-reaching TV, press and radio campaign .
He continues: The optometrist now has more power within the NHS to care for the patient. This includes diagnosis and management of disease, and referral of the patient directly to a hospital specialist following an eye examination that indicates more serious conditions. This will take some of the strain off GPs and casualty clinics across the country, allowing hospital departments to concentrate on the most serious eye problems .
Without the promotion of the various health benefits of regular eye examinations by optometrists, many more Scots could continue to miss out on the benefit of early detection and prevention of illnesses that go on to cost the NHS and the tax payer millions of pounds later in life.
Recent research commissioned by optometrists Black & Lizars has suggested that the majority of Scots are not aware of the Scottish Executives move to provide free eye care to all Scots. 
