23 March 2026
Newmedica is marking World Optometry Day today (23 March) by highlighting the work of its optometrists and how they support patient eye care at its facilities across the UK.
Consultant ophthalmologist at Newmedica Barlborough, Sundeep Deol, acknowledged the role of community optometrists as a key entry point into the healthcare system, particularly in the detection and management of glaucoma.
He said: “Optometrists are essentially the first point of contact for a glaucoma patient. As the population ages, this is going to be an exponential disease. Optometrists play an extremely vital role from prompt detection of the condition, to supporting patient choice and then referring as required so treatment can be started as soon as we can.”
World Optometry Day annually highlights the contribution of optometry to global health and ongoing efforts to improve access to eye care worldwide, while underlining the challenges that still need to be addressed.
Organised by the World Council of Optometry, the theme of this year’s awareness day is A shared vision: Collaboration in global eye care.
To celebrate World Optometry Day, Qasim Mansoor, consultant ophthalmologist and cataract specialist at Newmedica Teesside, emphasised the importance of collaboration between optometry and ophthalmology.
“Community optometrists are key for patients’ eye health care. They are the first portal that patients usually comes to, whether there is an acute problem or if there is a recurring eye issue or if there is progressive ocular disease,” he said.
On World Optometry Day, Newmedica emphasised that it is committed to strengthening links with community optometrists.
Karan Vyas, optometrist and advanced clinical practitioner at Newmedica, described community optometrists as being “at the coalface” of care delivery.
“Part of that is our community schemes where our post-op cataract patients go back to community optometrists essentially, to receive that final bit of care,” he said, pointing to shared care models as an area of continued development.
Vyas highlighted the role of optometrists working within Newmedica’s services, noting their involvement across a range of clinics and procedures, including cataract and glaucoma management, as well as treatments such as YAG capsulotomy, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and intravitreal injections.
Expanding access to eye care through collaboration
President of the World Council of Optometry, Dr Cindy Tromans, spoke to OT about the theme for World Optometry Week
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