I read with interest the Chalkeyes article in NZ Optics’ March 2025 issue – ‘A wake-up call for comfortable leaders’ – about the devaluation of the dispensing industry and was interested to hear the writer’s comments regarding the lack of action by authorities and industry groups to do anything about it.

I, too, was surprised by the ODOB and NZAO’s lack of correspondence with their members over the emergence of a businesses operating in the Optical Space without registered, or properly trained owners and staff (NZ Optics Feb 2024).  And I am especially concerned to learn that the ODOB is only able to regulate its paid members.

What we are left with is a profession under pressure, where the ODOB appears either unable or unwilling to act in the interests of its members and avoids any serious conversation about whether its role is still fit for purpose.

I have asked the board on more than one occasion whether it is concerned that its regulatory function no longer serves the needs of the profession. The question has been ignored. Rather than showing leadership, the ODOB has instead focused its efforts on those it can regulate, adding more compliance costs, more conditions and more burdens on those of us doing the right thing.

By registering at substantial cost, registered optical dispensers face potential audits, possible career-ending and financial penalties. The board no longer issues a physical certificate, just an email to print. Meanwhile, others with no training or oversight are able to operate in the same space with no consequence. We have a regulatory board that cannot regulate!

It is therefore clear that ODOB registration for optical dispensers no longer serves the profession. Businesses employing registered dispensers are burdened with thousands per year in compliance costs, staff time away from work and registration fees to a board that shows little care for the profession. Those funds would be far better spent on industry groups which actually support our amazing dispensers and offer real value to members and the public.

This is the perfect moment for an organisation like ADONZ to take over the board’s role and to continue to provide support, training and recognitions for the excellent work DOs do. Redirecting ODOB registration costs to a body that supports optical dispensers would not only improve outcomes for practitioners and patients but also provide decent membership recognition.

Like the writer of Chalkeyes, I sincerely hope that one or more of our industry groups will ask what benefit the ODOB provides and take up the challenge to help the profession guide the conversation toward something that reflects the realities we’re working in today. I encourage all of us in the eyecare industry to do some research, ask questions of the organisations we belong to and start pushing for a system which protects, supports and values the work we do.

Name supplied.

Letters to the editor are welcome via email to info@nzoptics.co.nz. Please include your name, title and daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited, abridged or discarded due to content, space availability and clarity.