14 October 2025
The regulation of sight testing and the potential of artificial intelligence technology were among themes discussed as part of a Specsavers Professional Advancement Conference presentation: The Spec-Pocalypse: 28 Days, Weeks and Years Later.
Clinical and policy director at the AOP, Dr Peter Hampson, spoke about the role that regulation of optometry plays in the UK at the conference (Birmingham International Convention Centre, 14 September).
“In the UK, we have a dedicated regulator. We have protections, meaning that only certain people can do certain things,” he said.
“If we ended up without regulation, it would affect the quality of care we deliver to patients and the ability to detect disease,” Hampson shared.
He noted the role that General Ophthalmic Services sight tests play in detecting glaucoma.
“Of all the glaucoma patients who are seen, the vast majority are found through sight tests in the community. If that was deregulated, the risks and the gaps that deregulation would cause are huge,” Hampson emphasised.
“We must do everything we can to keep our profession protected and keep our patients protected,” he added.
Clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, highlighted that current UK regulatory frameworks “inextricably link” the eye health assessment with refraction.
“If you were in France, you might go and have a refraction and not receive an eye health check,” he said.
“That eye health check, from my perspective, is really the most important function. It makes our profession what it is,” Hardiman-McCartney shared.
Turning to the role of artificial intelligence (AI) within optics, Hardiman-McCartney encouraged delegates to enhance their understanding of the technology.
“We need to become AI literate in order to use AI well. We need to know how AI works – and what the difference is between a large language model and a safe AI medical system,” he said.
Hardiman-McCartney added regulators have already acted to encompass AI devices.
“Just like contact lenses and eye drops are controlled, AI is also regulated. There are five categories of AI as a medical device,” he said.
Hardiman-McCartney highlighted that as AI products become available on the market, optical professionals need to be able to interrogate the evidence that supports the use of this technology.
“To become AI literate, you need to be able to sort the hype from the substance,” he said.
Hardiman-McCartney shared that more optometrists are obtaining higher qualifications, and signing up to deliver extended services in the community.
“There is a lot to celebrate. Optometry is changing – the profession will look very different in five years from what it is today,” he said.
“Every one of us in this room can shape that change and make it into an opportunity that works for our patients,” Hardiman-McCartney emphasised.
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