New AOP policy hub focuses on older people’s eye health

The AOP has introduced a new policy hub to outline challenges in eye care for older people and recommendations for supporting better care and health outcomes.

The resource, Transforming eye care for older people for better health, highlights the growing inequalities in eye care and how this affects the likelihood of accessing support and rehabilitation services.

The resource also highlights the role of optometrists in addressing the healthcare needs of an ageing population, with recommendations for policy changes to enhance support for older people’s eye health.

The changes could help to alleviate strain on other areas of the healthcare system, the AOP has suggested.

Adam Sampson, chief executive of the AOP, commented: “Optometrists already play a crucial role in tackling healthcare challenges, which include meeting the needs of a growing ageing population. Through simple policy changes, optometry can have an even bigger impact on the quality of life for older people.”

The AOP has identified five key policy asks, including that optometrists should be able to certify vision impairment, and that low vision services should be commissioned consistently to ensure equitable access.

Domiciliary eye care should be easier to provide, the AOP has said, emphasising the need to address barriers to services including inconsistent funding, geographic disparities, and pre-visit notification requirements.

The AOP recommended that vision checks become a core part of assessments in frailty and falls services, suggesting this could support a reduction in the burden of falls.

Finally, the AOP has highlighted that the public health and disease prevention potential of optometrists should be fully utilised. The resource notes that visual impairment can worsen health outcomes for people with long-term conditions, including dementia, but that sight tests are rarely included in patient pathways.

The AOP suggests improved connectivity between secondary and primary care, and better integration of optometry services, would enhance care coordination, with optometry well placed to offer preventative monitoring.

Dr Peter Hampson, clinical and policy director for the AOP, said: “Optometrists are well placed to play a greater role in supporting older people’s eye health, but their skills are currently being underutilised within the current healthcare system.”

“By enabling more integrated systems and streamlined pathways, we can enhance disease prevention, improve frailty and falls services, and provide better management of long-term conditions,” he said.

Hampson added: “These changes represent an opportunity to significantly benefit vulnerable populations while contributing to the economic sustainability and efficiency of the NHS.”

The policy hub, including further detail on the AOP’s five policy asks, can be found on the AOP website.