Leaders stress optical education is vital

Optical education has never been more important, Fiona Anderson, immediate past president of the IOA, told the leaders of eyecare professions at the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO) conference in Poland earlier this month.

Access to good quality optical care varies hugely around the world, creating health inequalities.

“In a lot of countries many opticians have no formal education or regulation,” she warned. “They are really entrepreneurs – if they can afford to buy a store they can call themselves an optician. My worry about that is, where is the public protection?”

Even in developed countries some people struggle to get good eyecare, Fiona added. In the UK, where she practices, “most people are able to access services but there are stil differences – there are socially deprived areas where access is not great.”

She highlighted the importance of dispensing. “There’s no point in a really good clinical consultation if that optical appliance on your face doesn’t fit well and we don’t improve the quality of your vision.”

Professor Kovin Naidoo, global head of advocacy and partnerships, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, said the biggest issue facing eyecare professions around the world is myopia. The drive to tackle the disease will “shape how we respond to other ideas because it will bring us together to work with each other and have a common interest in eye care.”

Dr. Matjaž Mihelčič, president, European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) said prevention is vital. People need to come together to influence governments “on policies about balanced screen time.” Excessive screen use “will also be a pandemic because there is no difference now among between developed countries and the third world, they’re all using smartphones.”

The panel of presidents and leaders of high-profile eyecare organisations discussed how education, professional bodies, and eye care specialists from the private and public health sectors can address challenges and opportunities.

They included: Liliana Stankova, president, European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO); Dr Matjaž Mihelčič, president, European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO); Dominika Olkowska, president, Polish Optometric Association/Polskie Towarzystwo Optometrii i Optyki (PTOO); Fiona Anderson, immediate past president International Opticians Association (IOA); Professor Kovin Naidoo, global head of advocacy and partnerships, OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation and Dr Susan Cotter, president, American Academy Of Optometry (AAO).

Find a recording of the president’s roundtable below