AOP launches Voice of the Profession survey panel

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) today launches a survey panel aimed at raising the profile of optometry and eye health. The new Voice the Profession insight panel will give optical professionals a unique opportunity to share their thoughts on eye health issues.

AOP members who join the panel will be asked to answer three online surveys throughout the year. The statistics will then be used by the AOP to promote positive stories in the media, under the external brand name ‘Voice of Optometry’, to increase understanding of optometry and instil better eye health habits among the public.

The first 15-minute survey is being sent to all practising UK members – inviting them to take part and contribute to future research by becoming an ongoing panel member. Among the topics included in this initial survey are the links between good vision and safe driving, the lifestyle factors impacting sight and common misconceptions about eye health.

Chief Executive of the AOP, Henrietta Alderman, said: "The AOP is delighted to be launching this important new initiative which is designed to support a more public profile for optics. We know that this is increasingly important to our members and this project will underpin some of our longer-term goals for external facing work. Having this valuable statistical data will strengthen our position – giving us the campaign power to champion the profession and the issues that practitioners care about." 

Ms Alderman added:  "We hope that our members see this as an excellent way of ensuring their voice is represented and will support us in this endeavour to bring optometry and eye health issues to the fore."

Each year, panel members will be asked to complete one 15-minute survey and two smaller surveys. In total, panel members will be asked to commit less than hour of their time annually.

Findings of the survey will be reported on a general, rather than individual, level and all views of panel members will remain anonymous.

For more information on the panel, visit our Voice of the Profession page.

Ends

For more information, please contact Serena Box, PR and Media Manager, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2063.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists
The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support our community of more than 16,500 members to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Optometry Today
Optometry Today (OT) has an audience of 15,000 members and subscribers. OT was named as the ‘Best Professional Association or Royal College magazine’ at the MemCom 2016 Awards. Organised by MemCom – the networking organisation for membership marketing professionals – the awards recognise and celebrate excellence within the membership sector. The OT website offers subscribers exclusive access to over 65 CET exams per year, including bi-monthly CET video content. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk/ot