The College of Optometrists (the College) has launched its ‘Manifesto for Scotland’, setting out key priorities for strengthening community eye care and preventing avoidable sight loss ahead of the next Scottish Parliament term.
The manifesto highlights Scotland’s strong foundations in community eye care, particularly the universal access to NHS-funded eye examinations introduced in 2006. Building on this model, the College manifesto urges policymakers to continue investing in services that enable patients to receive care closer to home and reduce pressure on hospital eye departments.
The manifesto notes that demand for eye care services is expected to grow in the coming years. Around 183,000 people in Scotland currently live with a significant degree of sight loss, a figure projected to increase to 214,000 by 2030. At the same time, ophthalmology remains the largest outpatient specialty in NHS Scotland, with tens of thousands of patients waiting for hospital appointments.
The College’s manifesto sets out four priorities for the next Scottish Government:
- Expand community eye care services
- Invest in a sustainable optometry workforce
- Improve digital connectivity
- Tackle inequalities in access to eye care
Across Scotland, more than 1,600 optometrists deliver around 2.5 million NHS eye examinations each year, providing essential preventative care and helping identify conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts and wider health issues including diabetes and high blood pressure.
The manifesto calls on policymakers to build on Scotland’s progress in community eye care by ensuring sustained investment and by making full use of the optometry workforce to support accessible, patient-centered services across the country.
The full manifesto is available to read here and further information on the announcement can be accessed on the College of Optometrists website here.
Optometry Scotland welcomes the publication of the College of Optometrists’ Manifesto for Scotland. The priorities outlined align well with and complement Optometry Scotland’s own manifesto priorities, and we appreciate the collaborative approach taken throughout the process.
We value the shared commitment to strengthening community-based eye care in Scotland and continue to work closely with the College. If members would like further information, please contact the Optometry Scotland office office@optometryscotland.org.uk, Optometry Scotland is the representative body for optometry in Scotland, working on behalf of members and the profession.