Parliamentary undersecretary of state for health services Ann Keen last week praised the work of optometrists. She said she would personally encourage PCTs to better utilise practices, by commissioning them to perform services outside of the traditional NHS eye examination.

Speaking to OT on a visit to her local practice, Fantaseyes, in Brentford, West London, Ms Keen said: “Optometrists are an excellent primary care resource and I would encourage PCTs to look at all of the services that could be offered here. I know that the expertise and the knowledge that many people have that work in this field and think we (the department of health) should meet local commissioners more so they can understand what services they could be purchasing from optometrists.”

She did, however, highlight the need for increased publicity from PCTs and local media, “looking after your eye health is absolutely paramount and the fact that we are all living longer means we are all going to need more eye care. Most people may not be aware what an eye examination can tell them about their health, so we need as much publicity as we can get, again, more locally driven and events like today’s visit would help that.”

During her visit Ms Keen was given a tour of Fantaseyes by optometrist Kam Koonar and met local patients and delegates from RNIB, Macular Disease Society and Hounslow PCT.

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