Specsavers Whanganui optometrist Ian Russell with a patient

Nearly 150,000 New Zealanders missed having their eyes tested between the 15 March and 24 May, due to restrictions on optometrists opening because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Specsavers’ data, this means between 2,500 and 5,000 patients were also not referred for potentially serious eye conditions including up to 300 new glaucoma suspects. “Unless they had urgent symptoms, these patients have likely deferred seeking advice or treatment putting their eye health at risk,” said Specsavers.

Of the 70,000 Specsavers’ patients who missed their scheduled eye tests during the period, approximately 1,120 would have required immediate, urgent or semi-urgent referrals, said the company, forecasting it could take between six and 12 months to work through the backlog.

“It has been an incredibly hard and stressful time for everyone, but now that things are getting back to normal, we are encouraging Kiwis to prioritise their eye health,” said Ian Russell from Specsavers Whanganui.

Specsavers’ optometrists are providing patients and staff with a modified practice environment and working on a recall model to engage those locally who need care priority, said Dr Ben Ashby, Specsavers ANZ optometry director. “From our perspective, that means we will be prioritising recalling patients with risk factors such as diabetes (while managing) those with other eye conditions such as glaucoma.”

Register for SCC Online

In other news, Specsavers announced registration is now open for its SCC Online Series, which replaces the annual Specsavers Clinical Conference, cancelled due to the coronavirus.

Open to all New Zealand and Australian optometrists, the SCC Online Series provides monthly CPD sessions, including virtual presentations, on-demand videos, panel discussions, interactive webinars and CPD-accredited articles. Topics range from glaucoma diagnosis and co-management to diabetic retinopathy screening and more.

On 5 August, Brisbane-based laser eye surgeon Dr Matthew Russell will cover Managing symptomatic and asymptomatic retinal tears and detachments.

Non-Specsavers optometrists can register to participate at www.spectrum-anz.com.