Research associated with the call for evidence on the Opticians Act

Following our call for evidence on the Opticians Act and consultation on associated GOC policies, we commissioned and carried out our own research to assist us in our decision-making in respect of two key areas: a) refraction by dispensing opticians for the purposes of the sight test and b) business regulation. The research can be accessed via the links below.

Research

Refraction by dispensing opticians

• Public views on refraction - this report was produced by WA Research. It involves deliberative research to understand the views of patients and the general public on whether dispensing opticians should be permitted to carry out refraction for the purposes of the sight test, and, if so, under what circumstances and regulatory controls. Data tables are also available. Watch a recording of the authors presenting an overview of the research: 

• Clinical research on refraction in the sight test - this report was produced by Prof Bruce Evans, Dr Rakhee Shah, Dr Miriam Conway and Ms Liz Chapman. The report summarises clinical research on: how the sight test is delivered by commercial providers of optical services across the four nations of the UK; the possible impacts where the refraction, binocular vision and eye health checks are not carried out by the same person or not at the same time or in the same place, both with and without the oversight/supervision of an optometrist or registered medical practitioner; and the role of orthoptists in refraction and sight testing. Watch a recording of the authors presenting an overview of the research: 

• International comparisons on refraction services with the sight test model in the UK - this report was produced in-house and summarises our literature review of international comparisons on refraction services with the sight test model in the UK.

Business regulation

• Mapping of optical businesses - this report was produced by Europe Economics. The aim of the research was to build a comprehensive picture of the UK optical businesses market, assess the benefits and risks of UK optical businesses, and estimate costs for different regulatory options to extend business regulation.

Published

15 March 2023