07 April 2026
The College of Optometrists has identified digital connectivity, expanding access to community eye care services, workforce investment, and a focus on addressing inequalities as its four priorities for eye care in Wales ahead of Senedd elections in May.
The College of Optometrists set out its priorities in Our manifesto for Wales: Securing sustainable eye care in Wales, which was published on Monday 30 March.
The manifesto calls on the Welsh Government to “continue leading the way, by expanding community eye care services to further improve access to eye care and prevent avoidable sight loss.”
It notes that ophthalmology is NHS Wales’ busiest outpatient service, with more than 80,000 people waiting for treatment, the College of Optometrists said.
The manifesto also highlighted that, due to an increase in conditions such as glaucoma that are driven by an ageing population, demand for ophthalmology services is expected to rise by 40% over the next 20 years.
Building on existing good practice in Welsh eye care
The four priorities identified in the manifesto would assist in advancing access to optometry-led eye care within communities, the College of Optometrists said.
Building a ‘fully digital eye care service’ that allows two-way communication between optometry practices and health boards, including access to shared electronic patient records, standardised digital imaging, and the ability to make digital referrals easily, is the first item highlighted in the manifesto.
Better connectivity is essential to deliver timely care and prevent avoidable sight loss, the manifesto said.
The Welsh Government must also commit to maintaining and growing WGOS community eye care pathways, in order to deliver on a target of 30,000 hospital setting appointments moving into primary eye care, the College of Optometrists said.
The manifesto also highlights the importance of investment in education and training in ensuring that Wales has the optometrists it needs, both in the short and long-term.
A ‘national optometry workforce strategy’ is needed to ensure universal access to highly trained optometrists across Wales, especially in rural and deprived areas, the manifesto said.
Welsh universities and employers need funding and resources in order to support optometry students who are undertaking clinical learning, postgraduate prescribing, and specialist qualifications, it added.
The manifesto also calls for a public education campaign to encourage both adults and children to attend for regular eye examinations.
Interventions should be specifically targeted at disadvantaged communities and vulnerable patient groups, the College of Optometrists said.
The manifesto noted that community optometrists are “in an ideal position to deliver public health messages on health and lifestyle, in addition to their crucial core role in eye health and in helping identify conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.”
Nkosi Yearwood, Wales council member at the College of Optometrists, said: “We’re asking the next Welsh Government to build on Wales’ eye care success by prioritising investment in eye care digital infrastructure and connectivity to ensure patients can access high-quality, timely and safe eye care in their local community.
“Further expanding community eye care services, making full use of the highly skilled optometry workforce, further supporting training, and promoting the importance of eye care to people in communities across Wales would all support optometrists in delivering more eye care, where and when patients need it.”
Senedd elections take place on 7 May 2026.
Our manifesto for Wales: Securing sustainable eye care in Wales can be read in full online.
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