OPTOMETRY SCOTLAND LAUNCHES MANIFESTO CALLING FOR ACTION TO PROTECT SIGHT AND SECURE THE FUTURE OF EYE CARE
Community optometry vital to tackling NHS pressures and preventing avoidable blindness
Optometry Scotland (OS), the representative body for optical professionals, has launched its 2026 manifesto, Community Optometry: A Sustainable Solution for Eye Care, setting out a clear vision for the future of eye health in Scotland ahead of next year’s Scottish elections.
The manifesto calls on all political parties to commit to three priorities: safeguard universal eyecare access, strengthen community-based NHS services and invest in infrastructure to secure the future workforce.
Scotland is the only UK nation to offer universal access to NHS-funded eye care. In 2024/25, more than 2.44 million NHS-funded eye examinations were carried out across the country. However, OS warns that without continued investment and reform, this world-leading model risks falling behind clinical and demographic needs.
Eilidh Thomson, Chair of OS, said: “Community optometry is one of Scotland’s greatest NHS success stories. Every day, optometrists and dispensing opticians deliver trusted, preventative care in towns, cities and rural areas, detecting disease early, protecting sight and reducing pressure on hospitals.
“With the right commitment, Scotland can continue to lead the UK in eye health. Our manifesto shows how sustained partnership and investment will not only protect patients’ sight but support the wider NHS through innovation and prevention.”
The manifesto outlines three key priorities:
- Protect sight. Prevent blindness. Deliver universal access.
Scotland’s world-leading model of NHS-funded eye care must be safeguarded through a modernised and sustainable General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) framework, ensuring equitable access for every community. - Shift the balance of care. Invest in local, enhanced services.
Optometry-led services, such as the Community Glaucoma Service, must be expanded to reduce hospital waiting times and bring care closer to home. - Secure the future workforce and infrastructure.
A national strategy must be developed to train, recruit and retain optometrists, invest in digital and diagnostic technology and support the rollout of advanced imaging.
The manifesto highlights the proven success of community-based eye care in improving outcomes and easing hospital pressures. For example, the recently launched Community Glaucoma Service (CGS), will allow around 20,000 stable glaucoma patients to be safely discharged from hospital into community optometry care, easing pressure on secondary care while improving access locally. For government, OS says, this is a ‘ready-made solution’ that delivers fairness, prevention and value for money.
“Scotland’s optometry workforce is already delivering world-class care,” Thomson added. “With proper support, we can do even more to prevent avoidable sight loss, strengthen the NHS and ensure that everyone, regardless of their economic background, has access to high-quality, local eye care.”
The manifesto has been endorsed by optical bodies including the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), the Association of Optometrists (AOP), College of Optometrists, the Association for Eye Care Providers (FODO).
The full manifesto is available to read at: optometryscotland.org.uk/publications